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Why do octopuses shoot ink out? And how many brains do they have? I'll give you a hint…it's more than one! These creatures might be called “aliens” by some because of their strange looks and behaviors, but they are not from another world. They are God's wonderful creations!Here's our trail map:What Exactly Is an Octopus?How Is an Octopus Born?How Many Brains Does an Octopus Have?How Does an Octopus Shoot Out Ink?Why Does the Bible Say We Are Like Aliens?Episode Links:Nat Theo Club Bonus Video: https://erynlynum.com/club-videosGet full lesson guides in the Nat Theo Club: https://erynlynum.com/clubFree Octopus Coloring Sheet: https://erynlynum.com/how-many-brains-does-an-octopus-have/How to make a homemade photo field notes set: https://www.instagram.com/p/DFYwsb4y_8X/Save $10 on an order at Parabo Press: https://www.parabo.press/?coupon=NAT10&utm_source=NatTheoPodcastTry CTCMath's simple and effective math lessons: https://ctcmath.com/Ask your nature question: https://erynlynum.com/askListen to the Schoolhouse Rocked Podcast: https://podcast.schoolhouserocked.com/Order Eryn's book, Rooted in Wonder: Nurturing Your Family's Faith Through God's Creation: https://www.amazon.com/Rooted-Wonder-Nurturing-Familys-Creation/dp/0825447615Sources used for research:Octopus and Squid: The Soft Intelligence by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and Philippe DioleSecrets of the Octopus by Sy MontgomeryCephalopod Camouflage: Cells and Organs of the Skin by Ryan Gilmore, B.S., Robyn Crook, PhD, and Jacob L Krans, Phd.Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:“So God created the large sea animals and every living thing that moves in the sea. The sea is filled with these living things, with each one producing more of its own kind.” Genesis 1:21 (NCV)“O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures.Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small.” Psalm 104:24-25 (NLT)“Dear friends, you are like foreigners and strangers in this world. I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11 (NCV)“People who do not believe are living all around you and might say that you are doing wrong. Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again.” 1 Peter 2:12 (NCV)Terms Learned in This Episode:Mollusk: A phylum (category) of animals that are soft bodied and have an important organ called a mantle and a special foot used to get around, grasp things, or dig. Most but not all mollusks have...
Because Life is Short… “So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT) “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NLT) “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14 (NIV) “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” Psalm 39:4-5 (NLT) Life at its longest point is short. “I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,, I strain to reach the end of the end of the race and receive the prize of God…” Philippians 3:13 NLT Here's What Lasts Forever: God- Isaiah 40:28 God's Son- Hebrews 13:8 God's Word- Isaiah 40:8 God's Faithfulness- Psalm 117:2 God's Kingdom- Psalm 145:13 God's Kindness- Isaiah 54:8 God's Love- Jeremiah 31:3 Salvation- Isaiah 51:6; 1 Corinthians 9:25; 1 Peter 1:4 Heaven- Psalm 23:6 Here's What Doesn't Last Forever: Our Accomplishments- 1 Corinthians 3:15 Everything on Earth- Zepheniah 1:18 WHAT DOES GOD WANT ACCOMPLISHED ON PLANET EARTH? God wants all people, in all places, at all times to come to know and experience His love for them in Jesus Christ. And our response is to love Him back and demonstrate that love through obedience. “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 NLT “God showed us how much He loved us by sending His only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:9, 10 NLT “Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love has been brought to full expression through us.” 1 John 4: 11, 12 NLT What Do We Sacrifice to God So the World Can Come to Know and Experience God's Love? First, Give God Your Influence. Second, Give God Your Affluence. You let His work be the focus of your life. And when great focus and great sacrifice are combined, then the world will be changed. “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then, finally, the end will come.” Matthew 24:14 NLT
Experience The Gifts of Christmas Sermon 3: Experience The Gift of Joy “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.” 1 Peter 1:8 (NLT) “ 11 Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! 12 Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord, for he is coming!” Psalm 96:11–13 (NLT) Anticipate Joy “but the angel reassured them. “Don't be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!'” Luke 2:10–11 (NLT) “The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.” Luke 2:20(NLT) Recognize Joy “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 11 They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10–11 (NLT) “Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2–3 (NLT) Choose Joy Choose Gratitude: “ Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NLT) Choose to Obey: “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11 (NLT) John 15:10 Choose to Abide: John 15 Discussion Questions: Would you describe your feelings about Christmas as “filled with joy”? What is keeping you from experiencing joy this Advent season? Between gratitude, obedience and abiding in God's love, which is hardest for you to remember and do? How can you make time this week to practice this and make room for joy? For more information about Middle River Assembly of God visit https://middleriverag.org/ To help support the mission of Middle River Assembly of God, please go to our new giving platform https://tithe.ly/give?c=4877442 CCLI Copyright License # 1013363 CCLI Streaming License # 20006236 Thank you for your support. Links Website Facebook Twitter Instagram This podcast is powered by Pinecast.
Welcome to "Love is the Only Thing," a transformative podcast where Ben dives deep into the heart of what it means to love through trials, triumphs, and everything in between. Ben explores the profound wisdom found in scripture, reminding us that love isn't just important—it's the only thing that truly counts. Join us as we unpack the complexities of loving well in a world often divided by conflict and strife. Discover how to forgive, support one another, and live harmoniously, all while understanding the importance of sharing each other's burdens. Whether you're seeking to deepen your faith or find practical ways to embody love in your relationships, this podcast is for you. Tune in and learn how to make love your guiding principle—because love truly is the only thing that matters. Sermon notes: Love isn't the main thing, it's the only thing. ...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6 NIV “For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.”Galatians 5:14-15 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 “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law.”Romans 13:8 NLT “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14 NLT “Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:9-10, 13-21 NLT “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” Galatians 6:1-3 NLT “I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.” 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 NLT “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 NLT
Sermon Notes: Not enough is where you discover that God is enough. “Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. Then you will destroy all your silver idols and your precious gold images. You will throw them out like filthy rags, saying to them, “Good riddance!” Isaiah 30:20-22 NLT “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 NLT “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” Romans 5:3-5 NLT “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:7-9 NLT
Why is seeking refuge in God's love essential during these turbulent times? Today, Stasi invites her beloved husband, John, to explore just that. They delve into his upcoming book, which will be released in February 2025, to talk about living in the safety of the shelter of God's love. They also highlight the vital practice of offering radical forgiveness and avoiding bitterness. Friends, our God's divine love serves as a sanctuary and is the only safe place for our hearts. We flourish under the canopy of his love. In today's podcast, we'll explore how to cultivate this in our daily lives and relationships by practicing tangible ways to stay tucked in.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: 1 John 4:7–8; 15–17 (NLT) — Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. … All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.Psalm 91:1–2 (NLT) — Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.Philippians 1:9 (NLT) — I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. Deuteronomy 4:24 (NLT) — The Lord your God is a devouring fire; he is a jealous God.Hebrews 12:25–29 (NLT) — Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven! When God spoke from Mount Sinai his voice shook the earth, but now he makes another promise: “Once again I will shake not only the earth but the heavens also.” This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain. Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.…..RESOURCES:Wild at Heart Podcast – Spotify: https://wahe.art/3xsHmuvWild at Heart Podcast – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildatHeartOfficialJohn's New Book – Title TBD – Releases February 2025; visit WildAtHeart.org for updatesThe Awakened Heart by Gerald May – https://amzn.to/4b5ApNP…..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
Why is Love vital to your supernatural walk? ”Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.“ 1 John 4:7-8 NLT Eros – The Love of Romance “Salmon” ⁃ Highly emotional ⁃ Changes your actions ⁃ It is a intmet love Philia – The Love of Friendship “Iron Sharpens Iron” ⁃ Mutual feelings ⁃ Conditnal ⁃ Suffers long Storge – The Love of Family “Ruth” ⁃ Protective love ⁃ A love shared by a common interest ⁃ A love that give up for the good of another Agape – The Love of God ⁃ Not emotional ⁃ Sacrificial ⁃ Not based on the persona you love Register for Free Prophetic Training: https://www.freepropheticschool.com/ Scriptures used in the Podcast - 1 John 4:11-12 NLT ”Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.“
Why is Love vital to your supernatural walk? ”Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.“ 1 John 4:7-8 NLT Eros – The Love of Romance “Salmon” ⁃ Highly emotional ⁃ Changes your actions ⁃ It is a intmet love Philia – The Love of Friendship “Iron Sharpens Iron” ⁃ Mutual feelings ⁃ Conditnal ⁃ Suffers long Storge – The Love of Family “Ruth” ⁃ Protective love ⁃ A love shared by a common interest ⁃ A love that give up for the good of another Agape – The Love of God ⁃ Not emotional ⁃ Sacrificial ⁃ Not based on the persona you love Register for Free Prophetic Training: https://www.freepropheticschool.com/ Scriptures used in the Podcast - 1 John 4:11-12 NLT ”Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.“
Generations after Israel had been freed from Egyptian slavery, they were hauled off into exile in Babylon, a secular country. In the book of Jeremiah, we see that Gods call to Israel was to retain their foundational identity as Gods people even though they were resident aliens in a foreign land. Despite their status as exiles .. God tells them to stay put. Put down roots, build houses, plant gardens … We too are spiritual exiles and resident aliens. We live here but we don't really belong here. So how do we live faithfully in the space between, not running from the world and not conforming to it but faithfully following Jesus with two feet in both worlds? 1 Peter 2:11 (NLT) - Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org
Download Keynote Slides Key text – 3 John 2 NKJV Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. NIV Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. NLT Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. In this letter, The Apostle John is not writing specifically about the human soul. The word soul can be understood as the expression of a quality of life. NLT uses the phrase, “Strong in spirit.” NIV, “Even as your soul is getting along well.” Bible dictionary definitions for “prosper:” εὐοδόω, Transliteration, euodoō To grant a prosperous and expeditious journey, to lead by a direct and easier way To grant a successful issue, to cause to prosper • How do you journey in your life? • What help do you need as you journey through life? • It has been said that life is not a destination, it is a journey.
Joy for many can be hard to find, especially around the holidays. In today's lesson we'll explore the concept of joy and how it's not a feeling but a decision we make. --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 --Luke 2:8-11 (NLT) That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don't be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”Joy for many can be hard to find, especially around the holidays. Overwhelmed with problems:Financial burdensRelationship problemsDepression, anxietyIn contrast, share a funny personal story through the eyes of a child's joyful expectation of gifts, not necessarily Jesus. (Joy quickly evaporates when gifts don't meet expectations and conversely explodes when gifts exceed them.)Trans: so what, exactly, is JOY?Most people think of joy as fundamentally a FEELINGExamples:But here's a more biblical definition: Joy is a decision.Let's break that down into two parts…Promises over ProblemsJoy is a decision to elevate God's promises over our problems. Trust what God says more than what we see. Enemy's tactics: Gen 3, Peter on waterOtherwise, God wouldn't command it. Joy is a clear mandate from scripture & fruit of the Spirit. (Supporting texts) To be a Christian, and to be a scrooge or a grinch, is to sin!Explain from scripture the mandate and the example of Paul in spite of his circumstances!James 1:2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.He's not saying it IS joyful, he's telling us to make an unnatural decisionThrow the trump card over every situation in your lifePhilippians 4:4-5 (NLT) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.The enemy's playbook is through our thoughtsYou LastJoy is a decision to put yourself last, not first. Doesn't feel natural at all. JOY acronym The source of our joy is a person and the promises he has secured for His people.Time for a cheesy (but memorable) acronymJ - starts with JesusJoy is a decision to elevate God's promises over our problems.Do you know his promises? Let's make a list:O - then focus on othersHave you noticed that the most depressed people are self-absorbed?Antidote to depression = find someone to...
NOTES: God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love — not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9–10 (NLT) WE ARE LOVED BY GOD Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7 (NLT) Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4:11-12 (NLT) WE ARE LOVED BY GOD AND CALLED TO LOVE OTHERS. HOW DO WE DO THIS? Be Mindful Be Grace-FULL Be Self-Giving BOTTOM LINE: As I have BEEN loved, so I WILL love. THE CHALLENGE: What does love REQUIRE of me?
Exodus 15:26 (NLT) - He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”3 John 2 (NLT) - Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) - He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds, you are healed.
Key thought: You thought you were fair-you-see, but you were really sad-you-see, because when it's only God-you-see, it changes both you and me. Key passage: Galatians 6:1 – 5 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. FAIR-YOU-SEE Galatians 3:17 – 19 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God's promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise. Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. SAD-YOU SEE Galatians 3:21 – 25 Is there a conflict, then, between God's law and God's promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. GOD-YOU-SEE
Week Three: 04/23/23 Series: “He Really Said That?” Title: “Cut it out!” Bible: Matthew 18: 1 – 10 Matthew 18:8 (NLT) 8 So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. “Become CHILD like as you serve others just don't act CHILDISH.” Mark 9:33 – 34 (NLT) 33 After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” 34 But they didn't answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest. Matthew 18:1 – 10 (NLT) 1About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. 8 So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.10 “Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. Humble as we serve James 4:10 (NLT) 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. Honest as we serve Romans 12:3 (NLT) 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Galatians 3:26 - 28 (NLT) 26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Thoughtful as we serve 1 Corinthians 3:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren't ready for anything stronger. And you still aren't ready, 3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren't you living like people of the world? Three clarifying questions: Head: What do I know now? Heart: How does this change me? Hands: What do I do now?
In this episode, Chris and Jay discuss helping people take "next steps" in their spiritual growth. We want you to be mindful of moving people forward in the faith.Jay's Blog Post on Next Steps1. Follow Christ and be baptized.2. Read and study the Bible on a daily basis.3. Pray consistently and strategically.4. Become a member of the church.5. Actively participate in a Small Group.6. Find someone to mentor you.7. Talk about your faith with members.8. Exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in your life.9. Fulfill your roles well (spouse, father, employee, etc.)10. Serve in the church in some way.11. Live a generous lifestyle with your time and money.12. Share Christ with neighbors, co-workers, & family. 13. Disciple someone who is a new believer.14. Secure a passport.15. Get a background check to work with minors.2 Cor 13:11 (NLT)Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All of God's people here send you their greetings.Thanks for listening to the Great Groups Podcast. Please visit GreatGroups.org for a list of all our episodes.Jay Gordon is the Small Groups Minister at The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Chris Amaro is an IT professional and serves as a Small Group Leader and Elder at Brook Hills.
TO GOD LITTLE THINGS ARE BIG THINGS Do not despise these small beginnings, for the lord rejoices to see the work begin Zechariah 4:10 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10 I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the lord, who made heaven and earth! Psalms 121:1-2 NLT This understanding of eyes fixed on God creates something inside of us that we cannot sit still… We cannot settle for surviving and just getting by, but we must move forward… WE MUST HAVE A PASSION FOR GROWTH, A FERVOR FOR PURPOSE, A RESOLVE TO ADVANCE, AND FAITH THAT GOD IS STILL IN THE MIRACLE BUSINESS! 1. YOU MUST START DREAMING 2. YOU MUST START DESIRING 3. YOU MUST START BEING AUDACIOUS 4. YOU MUST BEGIN “I had deep within me the inability to do nothing. I knew I may die, but I also knew I would not die with a bullet in my back” Joshua Chamberlain WHEN WE REALIZE AN INDECISION IS A DECISION WE WILL REALIZE AN INACTION IS AN ACTION. Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NLT GOD WILL TEST THE RESIDENCE OF OUR FAITH. You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver. Psalms 66:10 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT 5. YOU MUST START EXPECTING Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV WHAT DO THE TESTS OF GOD DO? IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO PROVE OURSELVES TO GOD. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD TO PROVE HIMSELF TO US. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. Hebrews 11:17-19 NIV And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!” “Don't lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the lord will provide”). Genesis 22:10-14 NLT IT IS ONE THING TO KNOW GOD IS YOUR PROVIDER IT IS ANOTHER THING TO EXPERIENCE THAT GOD IS YOUR PROVIDER. WHAT DO I FIND MY IDENTITY IN? WHAT DO I FIND MY SECURITY IN? So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. Romans 8:15-16 NLT But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Acts 1:8 NLT “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. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! John 14:12-14 NLT DO WE LOVE THE DREAM GOD GAVE US MORE THAN THE GOD WHO GAVE US THE DREAM? Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalms 73:25-26 NLT “Hope is the great power that can move you to success. Why? Because when a man expects to win, he does not hold anything back, but gives his project all that he's got. Most people fail not because they lack ability, intelligence, or opportunity, but they fail because they don't give it all they've got.” Dr. Norman Vincent Peale Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. James 2:21-23 NLT
Pastor John Ryan Cantu brings this week's message, “Foundational Faith." Key Verses: Hebrews 11:8–13 ESV: “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.” Mark 2:3–5 ESV: “And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”” Luke7:9–10 ESV: “When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.” Matthew 15:28 NLT: ““Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.” Sermon Topics: Faith, Generations
Sermon Notes: Ephesians 1:15-23 Series: Text Messages Title: Revelation Date: 8.14.22 Location: Perris Valley Church 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, Ephesians 1:15-16 (NLT) Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God's people everywhere, 16 I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, Romans 1:8 (NLT) Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. Point number 1 in your notes: When a church is dedicated to Jesus, other people know about it. Ephesians 1:17 (NLT) asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. Ephesians 1:17 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Colossians 1:9 (NASB) For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, Point number 2 in your notes: Revelation is the activity of God, not the ability of man. 1 Corinthians 14:6 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. Revelation 1:1 (NASB) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, Galatians 1:12 (NASB) For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:18 (NIV) I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, Jeremiah 17:9 (NLT) “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? Point number 3 in your notes: Something that has been enlightened, was formally darker than it is now. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Romans 8:24-25 (NIV) For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 1 John 3:2 (NASB) Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. Ephesians 1:19-22 (NLT) I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God's power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. 21 Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. Ephesians 1:23 (NLT) And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. Point number 4 in your notes: It is the parts of the body that are to complete the desires of the head. 2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV) For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Text: 1 Thes. 4:9 Summary: Church was never intended to be something that we attend on the weekend. A church is part of God's design to build a family. 1 Thessalonians 4:9 (ESV) Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another 5 Purposes for Life Acts 2:41-47 We are made to love God and be loved by God. – Worship. Eph 1:1-3; Rom 5:8; Rom 8:39 We are formed for Gods family. – Fellowship/Communion. 1 Cor 1:9; Eph 2:19 We are created to become like Christ – Discipleship – Roman 8:28,29 We are made to serve God by serving others. – Ministry. Matt 25:40; Gal 5:13 We are commissioned to share the God News – Mission. Matthew 29:19,20 John 13:34 (ESV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. Romans 12:10 (ESV) Love one another with brotherly affection. 1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:11–12 (NLT) Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us Ephesians 2:19 (NLT) So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. Two Family Truths: 1. You enter the family through faith in Jesus – Eph 2;8,9; John 1:12 2. You participate in the family through the local church - 1 Cor 12:18 “one another” Romans 12:10 - love one another 1 Cor 12:25 – care for one another Gal 5:13 – serve one another Gal 6:2 – lift one another's burdens Eph 4:2 - humbly bear with one another Eph 4:32 – be kind and forgive one another Eph 5:21 - submit (yield) to one another Col 3:16 – teach and admonish one another 1 Thes 4:18 – comfort one another Heb 3:13 – exhort one another Heb 10:24 – motivate one another to love 1 Peter 3:8 – show compassion to one another 1 Peter 4:9 – show hospitality to one another without complaining 1 Peter 4:10 – serve one another 1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1 John 4:12 (NLT). No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1. We love like family when we allow God to connect us to others in the church. Ephesians 2:19 (NLT)So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family. 1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 2. We love like family when we decide to participate rather than spectate. Acts 2:46–47 (ESV) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 3. We love like family when we work it out not walk away. Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Text: 1 Thes. 4:9Summary:Church was never intended to be something that we attend on the weekend. A church is part of God's design to build a family.1 Thessalonians 4:9 (ESV) Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another5 Purposes for LifeActs 2:41-47We are made to love God and be loved by God. – Worship. Eph 1:1-3; Rom 5:8; Rom 8:39We are formed for Gods family. – Fellowship/Communion. 1 Cor 1:9; Eph 2:19We are created to become like Christ – Discipleship – Roman 8:28,29We are made to serve God by serving others. – Ministry. Matt 25:40; Gal 5:13We are commissioned to share the God News – Mission. Matthew 29:19,20John 13:34 (ESV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.Romans 12:10 (ESV) Love one another with brotherly affection. 1 John 4:7-10 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.1 John 4:11–12 (NLT) Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in usEphesians 2:19 (NLT) So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.Two Family Truths:1. You enter the family through faith in Jesus – Eph 2;8,9; John 1:122. You participate in the family through the local church - 1 Cor 12:18“one another”Romans 12:10 - love one another1 Cor 12:25 – care for one anotherGal 5:13 – serve one anotherGal 6:2 – lift one another's burdensEph 4:2 - humbly bear with one anotherEph 4:32 – be kind and forgive one anotherEph 5:21 - submit (yield) to one anotherCol 3:16 – teach and admonish one another1 Thes 4:18 – comfort one anotherHeb 3:13 – exhort one anotherHeb 10:24 – motivate one another to love1 Peter 3:8 – show compassion to one another1 Peter 4:9 – show hospitality to one another without complaining1 Peter 4:10 – serve one another1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.1 John 4:12 (NLT). No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.1. We love like family when we allow God to connect us to others in the church.Ephesians 2:19 (NLT)So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God's holy people. You are members of God's family.1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.2. We love like family when we decide to participate rather than spectate. Acts 2:46–47 (ESV) And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.3. We love like family when we work it out not walk away. Philippians 2:12–13 (ESV) Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
You speak your words and your words speak about you. James 3:1-12 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters,[a] not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.[b] People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring.[c] OUR WORDS REVEAL OUR HEART But the words you speak come from the heart—that's what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. -Matthew 15:18-19 (NLT) "A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” -Matthew 12:33-37 (NLT) OUR WORDS BUILD (OR TEAR DOWN) BOTTOM LINE: You speak your words and your words speak about you. CHALLENGE: Bless someone with your words.
3 John 1:2 NLT “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.”
James 1:2-4 ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any […]
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Today's episode introduces you to my dear friend and sister Natosche Holt. Natosche is a survivor, a world changer, a chain breaker for her family, and knows that the change she wants to see must first begin with her. She shares her journey to being whole in Christ mind, body, and spirit. Her foundational scripture for this journey is 3 John 1:2 (NLT) "Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit." Tosche's intentionality on this journey has helped her be a better person with Godly character, self-confidence, and self-worth, and she gives God all the glory. I know this episode is going to bless your soul. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on FB & IG at she.abidespodcast Blessings Upon Blessings Follow Natosche: IG: @tosche TikTok: @SchesJourneytoWholeness FB: @Sche's Journey to wholeness
Week Five: October 31st Title: Hypocritical People Bible: 2 Samuel 12:1 – 10, Galatians 6:1 – 2, Matthew 18:15 – 20 Hypocritical People Matthew 23:28 (NLT) 28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness. 2 Samuel 12:1 – 4 (NLT) So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. 2 The rich man owned a great many sheep and cattle. 3 The poor man owned nothing but one little lamb he had bought. He raised that little lamb, and it grew up with his children. It ate from the man's own plate and drank from his cup. He cuddled it in his arms like a baby daughter. 4 One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man's lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” 2 Samuel 12:5 – 6 (NLT) 5 David was furious. “As surely as the Lord lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! 6 He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.” 2 Samuel 12: 7 – 10 (NLT) 7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. 8 I gave you your master's house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. 9 Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. 10 From this time on, your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah's wife to be your own. “Confronting a hypocritical person is the most caring thing you can do for them.” Jesus lead me to confront to restore. Galatians 6:1 – 2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. 2 Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. Jesus lead me to confront cautiously. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT) 12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. Matthew 18:15 (NLT) 15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. Jesus lead me to see when I'm the hypocrite. 2 Samuel 12:13 - 14 (NLT) 13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won't die for this sin. 14 Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord by doing this, your child will die.” James 5:19 – 20 (NLT) 19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
Air Date: 10 22 21 “The strong spirit of a man sustains him in bodily pain or trouble, but a weak and broken spirit who can raise up or bear?” PROVERBS 18:14 Peter does not begin to exhort Christian pilgrims until he has celebrated the wonders of God's salvation in Jesus Christ. The indicative of what God had done for us and in us precedes the imperative of what we are called to do for Him. ‘Without the pinpointing of what God does, the essential is addressed to a helpless sinner, the victim of his illusions; it becomes a commandment that crushes or that drives to vain and presumptuous efforts. Our hope is God's gift, an inheritance created for us by Christ's resurrection (1:3). Because we have been given hope, we are called to live in it. –Romans 1:17 | For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Peter's exhortations continue through his letter. Yet he also continues to remind us of the reality of redemption that underlies his call to obedience. In the rest of this chapter he summons us to the obedience of hope, hope that is marked by readiness and holiness. 3 John 2—NLT: “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. The Degree of Success We Experience Is Directly Connected to the Condition of Our Spirits Listen to Abiding in Christ Ministries with radio host Lesha Cantrell Monday through Friday at 6:45am (MT) on AM670, KLTT in Colorado; online at 670kltt.com; or via your mobile device on the free KLTT app. May God richly bless you as you abide in Christ
James 5:7-11(NLT)Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.9 Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 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.1 Timothy 6:11 (NKJV)But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/yourdailybible)
Did you know that there is NOTHING that can separate us from God's love? That it is up to us to choose to love Him back? On today's episode, I speak about SELF LOVE and how choosing to love God has taught me how to love myself and how to love others. I pray that this episode will help you tap into your own personal relationship with God and allow Him to show you what TRUE love looks like, Him. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and leave a RATING/REVIEW in the comments section below. And follow us on Instagram @ReconstructHER! The ReconstructHER Playlist is now on Apple Music! Click here to listen! https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-reconstructher-playlist/pl.u-KVXBBlJuzBb8Wx Definition: Self Love - Regard for one's own well-being and happiness. (Oxford Languages) Biblical References: Galatians 5:22-23 (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! 1 John 4:7-8 (NLT) - Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. Romans 8:38 (NLT) - And I am convinced that nothing can separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT) - Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reconstructher/support
RE:Joice! Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. Romans 5:2 (NLT) By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that's not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. Romans 5:1-2 (MSG) 1. I rejoice because I have a FUTURE HOPE. Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) 2. I can rejoice in STRUGGLES and suffering. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NLT) Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:12-13 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2 (NLT) 3. I can rejoice because I'm a FRIEND of Jesus! 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) For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God's wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Romans 5:17-18 (NLT)
1 Peter 4:12-19 (NLT)Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs. 16But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God's household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God's Good News? 18And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 19So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail youSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/yourdailybible)
There is a difference between Fearing God and Fearing God. Christians must do both. Luke 12:4-5 (NLT) Dear friends, don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I'll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he's the one to fear. Job 28:28 (NLT) And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.'” Deuteronomy 2:25 (NLT) Beginning today I will make people throughout the earth terrified because of you. When they hear reports about you, they will tremble with dread and fear.'” Psalm 33:8 (NLT) Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him. Christians should be in Fear of not pleasing God. Genesis 3:10 (NLT) He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” Psalm 86:1-12 (NIV) A prayer of David. Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; 3 have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. 5 You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. 6 Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. 8 Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours. 9 All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name. 10 For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 12 I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. God Does Not Give Fear 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT) For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Jesus is the only savior from Fear. Romans 8:14-16 (NLT) For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Joshua 1:9 (NLT) This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Psalm 23 (KJV) The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
1 John 5:21 NLT “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God's place in your hearts.”
Find our message notes, lyric sheets, Bible study and giving options at https://www.newlifecc.com/ Text "Update" to 30500 for more information. Text "Prayers" to 30500. Looking for ways to give or get help? Visit https://loveourneighbors.org/ Message Notes: DIRECTION “Sticking it Out” God's will is for you to be holy…1 Thessalonians 4:3a (NLT) Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-24 (NLT) “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8 (NLT) “Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Ruth 1:16 (NLT) 1. Sticking it out… deepens my FAITH. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. Colossians 1:11 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 (NLT) 2. Sticking it out…let's me experience God's BLESSING in unexpected ways. But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7 (NLT) 3. Sticking it out…allows me to FINISH WELL. …'Well done, my good and faithful servant. Matthew 25:23 (NLT) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) ----- Connect with us! → https://linktr.ee/newlifecc Thank you so much for joining us online today! We hope you have a great week!
“I thought 2020 would be the year I get everything I want. Now I know 2020 is the year I appreciate everything I have.” What if we all had a little more of this kind of attitude as we take on the new year? Here’s something else to keep mind as we step into a new year, God resist the proud but gives grace to the humble. One thing I’ve discovered over the years is that willing and faithful are always associated with humility. So our prayer is that this talk inspires our thinking, inspires our faith, challenges every one of us to embrace the reality that our lives here and now are not all there is to a life in God. Seriously, get this settled in your thinking, our eternity is underway right now. And while we’re still here, each of has an assignment for the Lord. Remember, everything around our new talk has to be centered around this truth, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NEVER BE BASED ON WHAT WE DO, OUR REWARD IS. As we move into another year, let’s help each other refocus our attitudes, refocus our faith, be an encourager, and according to Jesus, “OCCUPY TILL HE RETURNS.” Another translation of this word occupy is to do business till I get back.I really believe this is a word from the Lord for us for 2021! This statement Jesus made, “OCCUPY TILL HE RETURNS.” is from the parable in Luke about the minas. Revelation 5 tells us that Christ has made us kings and priest, and we shall reign on the earth. Take a second, you ever think about what kind of role the next chapter of your life will be? Remember, Jesus makes it very clear that He’s got something wonderful in store for all those willing and faithful. Revelation 22:12,NKJV- “And behold, I am coming quickly, and MY REWARD IS WITH ME, to give to every one according to his work.” What I’ve discovered is that Jesus actually talks about reward a lot, so maybe we should give a little more consideration to this reality. 1 Corinthians 3, paraphrase, The work of each one will be shown for what it is, for the day of Christ will reveal it, and if his efforts survive, he will get his reward. Here’s the wake up call, our willingness and faithfulness here and now has significant influence in our life in the next dispensation. Moody was right, what we do here and now is simply training for our next chapter. Luke 16, Abraham told the rich man, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. Stop thinking simply from this 3 dimensional world. You are a brand new species of being. Made in the image of your Father. Corinthians 2, We have received God’s Spirit, so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. When we tell you these things we aren’t using words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them, they can’t understand it. Make no mistake, embracing the reality that we are these brand new creations in Christ. We’re living, thinking, free willed spirit beings, made in Christ’s image. So thinking other dimensional demands transformation of the born again soul. Here’s a major key, the moment someone gives their life to Christ and becomes this new spirit being, it comes with an assignment. Remember, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NEVER BE BASED ON WHAT WE DO, OUR REWARD IS. Don’t let anyone deceive you, people that want nothing more from Jesus than to escape hell, will not be in the same class as those willing and faithful in serving Jesus. Listen very carefully, God is not a man that He can lie, and He does not change, His ways and His word are forever settled. When we follow Jesus through the gospels, the thing He talks about more than anything was the Kingdom of Heaven. A major part of His assignment was making access to His Kingdom for the born again. Restoring what Adam gave away to satan. Making us heirs to the Kingdom. And according to Paul, as long as the heir remains a child, he’s no different than a slave. Even though he’s master of it all. And Matthew 6, Jesus goes into great detail about how things in His Kingdom function. Matthew 6:1,3-4,6,16-18,NKJV- Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. v.3, But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. Later in this same chapter Jesus makes this radical statement, Don’t lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. v.4, And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. v.6, But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. v.16,Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. v.17, But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, v.18, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. This stuff God is dealing with is all a heart thing. He’s talking about our born again lives Jesus died that would could experience right now. He’s giving us basic Kingdom living principles. And as we begin to understand and practice these truths, let’s keep our motives checked on a regular bases. Remember, OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS WILL NEVER BE BASED ON WHAT WE DO, OUR REWARD IS. Here’s the thing, living these supernatural lives start with a willing, faithful attitude. But to get to willing and faithful, we’ve got to start talking and thinking supernatural, Kingdom of Heaven realities. Which means we’ve got to take to heart what the apostle James told us, we cannot continue living a double minded life. Let today’s talk inspire our faith to move past thinking that our lives here and now is all there is to a life in God. Let’s help each other refocus our attitudes, refocus our faith and according to Jesus, let’s help each other be about the Master’s work. And even though it’s not all about rewards, don’t kid yourself, ask any parent who loves rewarding the children for doing good, our Father is the same way, God wants to reward, He wants to distinguish you! (Esther) But here’s the thing, possibly one of the biggest challenges the born again face is embracing a way of living that is beyond here and now. Philippians 3:17-20,NLT- Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of Heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. Revelation 22, I am coming quickly, and MY REWARD IS WITH ME, to give to every one according to his work. Matthew 16, Jesus tell us that he will return in the glory of the Father and He will reward each one according to his works.
Tuesday @ 8am "Winning our Family to the Lord" Mark 5:18-19 NIV 18] As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19] Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Marcos 5:18 Nang sumasakay na si Jesus sa bangka, nakiusap ang dating sinasapian ng mga demonyo na siya'y isama niya, Marcos 5:19 ngunit hindi pumayag si Jesus. Sa halip ay sinabi niya sa lalaki, “Umuwi ka na at sabihin mo sa iyong mga kamag-anak ang lahat ng ginawa sa iyo ng Panginoon, at kung paano siya nahabag sa iyo.” THINGS WE NEED TO DO TO WIN OUR FAMILY. 1. PERSISTENT PRAYERS. Romans 10:1-2 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is that the Jewish people might be saved. I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. Mga Taga-Roma 10:1 Mga kapatid, ang pinakananais ko at idinadalangin sa Diyos ay ang maligtas ang Israel. Mga Taga-Roma 10:2 Sapagkat saksi akong sila'y nagsisikap na maging kalugud-lugod sa Diyos. Mali nga lamang ang kanilang naging batayan. 2. BUILD CONNECTIONS. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV 19] Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20] To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21] To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22] To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23] I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Mga Taga-Corinto 9:19 Malaya ako at di alipin ninuman; ngunit nagpaalipin ako sa lahat upang makahikayat ako ng mas marami sa Panginoon. 1 Mga Taga-Corinto 9:20 Sa piling ng mga Judio, ako'y namumuhay tulad ng isang Judio upang mahikayat ko sila. Kahit na hindi ako saklaw ng Kautusan, nagpailalim ako rito alang-alang sa mga nasa ilalim ng Kautusan, upang mailapit ko sila sa Diyos. 1 Mga Taga-Corinto 9:21 Sa piling naman ng mga Hentil, na hindi saklaw ng Kautusan ni Moises, ako'y naging parang Hentil upang sila'y mahikayat ko rin. Subalit hindi ito nangangahulugang hindi ko sinusunod ang mga utos ng Diyos, sapagkat ako'y nasa ilalim ng kautusan ni Cristo. 1 Mga Taga-Corinto 9:22 Sa piling ng mahihina sa pananampalataya, ako'y naging parang mahina rin upang mahikayat ko sila. Ako'y nakibagay sa lahat ng tao upang sa lahat ng paraan ay makapagligtas ako ng kahit ilan man lamang. 3. CHANGE YOUR LANGUAGE. Proverbs 10:11 (NIV) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Mga Kawikaan 10:11 Ang bibig ng matuwid ay bukal ng buhay, ngunit labi ng masama ay nagtatakip ng karahasan. Proverbs 15:1 (NLT) A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger. Mga Kawikaan 15:1 Ang malumanay na sagot, nakapapawi ng galit, ngunit sa tugong marahas, poot ay hindi mawawaglit. Mga Kawikaan 15:2 Ang dila ng may unawa ay nagbubunga ng kaalaman, ngunit ang bibig ng mangmang ay bukal ng kahangalan. Proverbs 15:4 (NLT) Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Mga Kawikaan 15:4 Ang magiliw na salita ay nagpapasigla sa buhay, ngunit ang matalas na pangungusap ay masakit sa kalooban. 4. SERVE YOUR FAMILY. 1 Corinthians 9:19 (NLT) This means I am not bound to obey people just because they pay me, yet I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:19 NIV Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 1 Mga Taga-Corinto 9:19 Malaya ako at di alipin nin
Genesis 9:20-23 (NKJV) And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. 21 Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent. 22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness. Galatians 6:1 NLT "Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path (restore him). And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." Pastors James & Dorene Jackson Twitter: @hopfamchurch Instagram: @hopfamchurch
1 Peter 4:12-19 (NLT)Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?” 19So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail youSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/yourdailybible)
James 1:2 (NLT) - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
James 1:2 (NLT) - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
James 1:2 (NLT) - Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
In this message, we debunked this myth: ‘Self Love Is the Best Love.’ Narcissism has its birth origins in ‘self-love’. In the scriptures, we are told that love is not self-seeking. We are also told that to follow Jesus, we must deny ourselves and follow Him. Reference Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NLT — Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT — You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 1 John 4:7-12 NLT — Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thealphatalk/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thealphatalk/support
I have two things in my mind this week. The joy of participating with a hundred people in the, "Is there a message in the mayhem?" teaching event. The agony of witnessing the pain caused by the death of George Floyd - both to his family and to many others by extension. As so often in life, joy and mourning go together. Let me start with the second issue and finish with the first. What can one intelligibly and helpfully say about such difficult matters? Well, my remarks will be woefully inadequate, but it feels right to say something. First of all, here's what I wrote (with the help of some friends) for the Facebook pages of the Thames Valley churches of Christ and the website: "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27 NLT) Dear friends, I am writing this around the time that the memorial service for George Floyd is wrapping up. It is difficult to sum up in a short post the appalling nature of what happened to him. For now, I think we can safely say that the injustice of what happened to George, and similar experiences of injustice felt by others is an affront to the heart of God and his image in which we are made. “Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.” (Proverbs 22:8 NIV11) As a church we are considering our best response to this. Currently we are having conversations in the congregation and would like to hear from as many people as possible before taking the first step. What is the Spirit saying? If you have any suggestions please send them to me, Tim or Shevvy. God bless, Malcolm It was the Scripture from Proverbs which grabbed my attention - “Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.” (Proverbs 22:8). God truly hates injustice - no matter on whom it is perpetrated, nor the means used to so-called justify it. I have had many helpful and enlightening conversations with people of different backgrounds this week. The men of the Watford church met on Wednesday evening to discuss what we are learning from the events surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd. I learned a great deal from the perspectives of these mature men who come from very different backgrounds and have very different experiences of prejudice in one form or another. Here are my (limited and inadequate) takeaways is for now. I must accept that I will never fully understand someone different to myself. In other words, it is insulting ever to claim that I "understand you" as if that means I fully grasp somebody else's experience. I can, however grow in understanding. I need to catch myself when I am tempted to say "I understand". Instead, it will be more helpful for me to say something like, "I am beginning to understand… Thank you for helping me to understand better…". Which leads to my second thought. Curiosity is the cure for prejudice and misunderstanding. Curiosity motivated by love, not self-serving nosiness. If I can never say I fully understand people, but accept that my life will be enriched by better understanding others, then I have a duty to remain consistently curious all through my life. It was mentioned in our meeting on Wednesday that it seems easier to have an open mind when we are younger. I guess that's true, but as disciples of Jesus we must discipline ourselves - I must discipline myself - to remain curious. And how does that work? This leads me to my third thought. Loving curiosity is demonstrated, at least in part, by actively entering somebody else's world. Wasn't Jesus curious about our condition? Did not that motivate him to come into an alien environment and live our lives such that he gained a better understanding of what it meant to struggle in this world? Did not the Apostle Paul expend himself in the Gentile world so foreign to his upbringing as a Pharisee of Pharisees? I have been very blessed to travel more widely than most. Certainly it has broadened my mind. But I don't need to travel for that to happen. There are articles to read, videos to watch, and conversations to have which can help me learn and grow. I'll never forget conversations such as that I had with my friend Sharon who educated me on the challenges facing Caribbean men, or with my Irish friends who helped me to understand the deeper origins of the conflicts in their country. Those conversations were humbling because they exposed my ignorance and blind assumptions. They challenged my heart, but, ultimately, I learned to better love the people God had put in my life. And there are so many other experiences. Eating cow's foot prepared by a Nigerian family (I didn't like the food, but I am glad I had the experience!). Going to my first 'nine' night to mourn the death of Colin - a deeply moving experience. Seeing my daughter marry a Gujarati and being more fully exposed to that culture - colourful, vibrant and energetic! the list is long. The question for me today is, in what way I actively entering the worlds of people around me? None of the above solves the global problems of prejudice. But, just because we cannot change the world does not mean we should not change our own world. And as we do so, we bring the light of the love of God to person after person. It may be uncomfortable, but it is worth it, it is Christ-like, it brings glory to God. Briefly, now on to the second matter of the week. We kicked off our three-part series called, "Is there a message in the mayhem?" last Saturday. Chris Birtles and Simon Dinning were our first two speakers. A hundred people turned up and, if the banter is anything to go by, had a good time! We had one or two technical glitches, but overall everything went very smoothly. The recording of the lessons is online (https://www.malcolmcox.org/is-there-a-message-in-the-mayhem-session-1/) . The handout is available on the dedicated page (https://www.malcolmcox.org/home-2/is-there-a-message-in-the-mayhem/) on my website. This coming Saturday, six June, we move on to session 2 - "How do we respond?" How can we respond to what we’re seeing? What doors is God opening because of the virus? How do we best serve others and bring hope? We will look at what we can learn from the way the early church responded to times of trial, and consider how our prayers, gifts and resources can help bring hope. Session Coordinators: Andy Ezeilo and Robert Payne. If you haven't yet registered for the second and third sessions you can do so by looking at the page mentioned above, or by going straight to the Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/is-there-a-message-in-the-mayhem-exploring-a-faithful-response-to-covid-19-tickets-106215637832) meeting page. There is no fee, but we are asking people to make a donation to HOPE (https://www.hopeworldwide.org.uk/) worldwide if they are able to do so. I do hope you can join us. If not, please do two things. Firstly, pass this information on to someone you think might be interested. Secondly, watch the videos at your own leisure and let me know any further questions or comments you have on the contents. That will help us as we plan the third session coming up next Saturday 13th June. Finally, may I solicit your prayers for this event. We have never, as a group of friends, put on anything quite like this. We are very excited, if a little nervous! God bless, Malcolm
Humor me here and read James 1:2 in three different translations: NKJV: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials." NLT: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” ERV: “My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy.” Now, let's talk about COUNTING IT ALL JOY!
Three Questions to Help You Handle Hardship1. What Form Does My Hardship Take? A. Trials James 1:2 (NLT) – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. A. Temptations James 1:12a (NLT) – God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.James 1:13-15 (NLT) – And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.“I was in my late 20's, single, and with every prospect of remaining so. Sometimes lust or a bit of fantasizing would seem so inviting and so easy to justify. After all, hadn't I already given up more than most Christians just by being disabled? Didn't my wheelchair entitle me to a little slack now and then?” “When God allows you to suffer, do you have tendency to use your trials as an excuse for sinning? Or do you feel that since you've given God a little extra lately by taking abuse, that He owes you a “day off?2. How Will I Face My Hardship? A. Choose JoyJames 1:2 (NLT) – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. Hebrews 12:2b (NLT) – …Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.B. Patiently Endure James 1:3-4 (NLT) – For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) – We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Warren Wiersbe: “In the Bible, patience is not a passive acceptance of circumstances. It is a courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty.”C. Seek Wisdom James 1:5-8 (NLT) – If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. D. Humbly Trust God James 1:9-11 (NLT) – Believers who are poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.3. What Fruit Will My Response to Hardship Produce? James 1:3-4 (NLT) – For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.James 1:12 (NLT) – God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Find our message notes, lyric sheets, Bible study and giving options at https://www.newlifecc.com/ Text "Update" to 30500 for more information. Tell us your good news story: https://form.jotform.com/201056962827156 For prayer requests, praise, and new commitments: Text "Prayers" to 30500. Looking for ways to give or get help? Visit https://loveourneighbors.org/ Message Notes: Mark 2v1-12 1. Miracles happen… when I'm BOLD enough to BELIEVE. 2. Miracles happen…when I'm MOVED enough to CARE. Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen— the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” Matthew 11v4-5 (NLT) When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow. Romans 12v15 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well” —but then you don't give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? James 2v14-16 (NLT) 3. Miracles happen… when I'm DESPERATE enough to never QUIT. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4v13 (NLT) ----- Connect with us! → https://linktr.ee/newlifecc Thank you so much for joining us online today! We hope you have a great week!
I Am ______I Am Chosen1 Peter 2:9a (NIV) – But you are a chosen people…1 Peter 1:4a, 6 (NLT) – You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple….As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”Because I Am Chosen…1. I Have an Identity in Christ1 Peter 2:9a (NIV) – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession…1 Peter 2:10 (NLT) – “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy.”Hebrews 4:14 (NLT) – So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.Matthew 27:51 (NLT) – At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart.Why was the curtain torn in two? Because we no longer needed a priest to access God's presence for us. Jesus is our High Priest, and Jesus' death meant that ALL PEOPLE could now enter into the presence of God.Hebrews 10:19-22 (NLT) – And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.Warren Wiersbe: “In the Old Testament period, God's people had a priesthood, but today, God's people are a priesthood. Each individual believer has the privilege of coming into the presence of God.”1 Peter 1:2a (NLT) – God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy.Ephesians 1:13 (NLT) – And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.2. I Have a Responsibility in Christ• Worship Christ1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.• Be a Witness for Christ1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.• Live a Life Worthy of Christ1 Peter 2:11-12 (NLT) – Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.Colossians 1:10 (NIV) – live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.John 15:16 (NLT) – You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.Romans 8:33-34 (NLT) – Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
CrossroadsGo.org 1 John 4:7 NLT “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” To love one another is to act like one of His kids.
CrossroadsGo.org 1 John 4:7 NLT “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” To love one another is to act like one of His kids.
Monsters Under My BedRejoice2 Corinthians 2:12-13 (NLT) – When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. 13 But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn't yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.2 Corinthians 7:5 (NLT) – When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside.2 Corinthians 11:24-28 (NIV) – Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.Philippians 4:4-6 (NKJV) – Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) – and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV) – Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) – Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!Two Ways to Rejoice:1. Rejoice with Your WillMax Lucado: “This verse is a call, not to a feeling, but to a decision and a deeply rooted confidence that God exists, that he is in control, and that he is good.”James 1:2 (NLT) – Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.2. Rejoice with Your WorshipIsaiah 61:3 (NKJV) – The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) – Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
John 20:16 NLT “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” The picture of Mary confusing Jesus for the gardener is a wonderful reflection of my own life, and I assume for you also. So many of the songs we sing in church these days are crying out to God to come and make himself known within the present reality of our worship. Yet, God has come and made himself known, through Jesus. It’s the essence of the incarnation. We have seen God because we have seen Jesus (John 14:9). Therefore, as Jesus asked Philip, “Why are you asking me to show [God] to you?” (NLT). Mary assumed that Jesus’ body had been stolen. Yet, in reality, he was only an arm’s length away from her. Now she had to process the very first evidence for the resurrection, promised by Jesus, yet not understood by his followers. We are the beneficiaries of two millennia of testimony and experience that God is present in every moment and every life event. Still we struggle. We have to get beyond our inner demand that life should be good to us, for it completely distorts the work of God in the earth. How much of what we embrace as the ‘good life’ is in fact the fiction of media projections into our subconscious? How often are we seeking to reproduce some artificial lifestyle or role that has been conceived by those eager to sell us something upon its back? QUESTION: Do you miss the presence of Christ in your everyday life? PRAYER: Lord Jesus, help me to recognise where you are at work in my life and to cooperate with you.
Download Podcast Episode 11: What do you do when life gets hard? I want to ask you that question, "What do you do when life gets hard?" If you do what most folks do you complain, “It’s too hard!” If yours are like mine were, I've heard them whine dozens and dozens of times, "It's too hard! But what they were really saying is “I quit!” It's just natural. Our natural response to a problem is often anxiety or fear. Think about the first time you spoke in front of an audience or the last time you did something you had never done before; do you remember how hard your heart was pounding in your chest? Your brain did that. When your brain sensed danger it sent set off an alarm in your body. It's your brain's fault. Your brain is an amazing organ. It has so many functions. One function is to protect you…the first responder part of your brain sends off those warning signals to help you either fight or run. It wants you to avoid anything and everything that causes you pain. But there’s a problem…the part of the brain that recognizes danger (the Amygdala) can’t distinguish between real danger and potential danger. While your brain tries to protect you from pain, your fitness trainer will tell you “No pain. No gain!” That fitness trainer struggles to retrain you and your brain to realize, “if you want to build your muscles you gotta push through some pain.” No pain! When you experience pain your brain tells you something like, “This is awful—gotta stop this pain!” All pain isn’t bad. It hurts, that’s not good, but it’s necessary pain. Every pregnant mom understands that labor pains are not bad, they mean she is about to give birth. She understands that this pain is normal and she prepares herself with skills to manage the pain. Pain is a part of process 1 Peter 4:12 NLT “Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.” Even though you are believer, you are not exempt from pain. Pain is part of life. It is painful to push through the obstacles of building a business, raising kids or pursuing a dream. A timid person has to push through the fear of meeting new people or making those sales calls. Successful people have to push through fear and/or a myriad of obstacles that is just part of reaching your goal. Whether you push through that pain to reach your goal or stop in the middle of the pain begins with your thoughts. A wrong attitude about pain makes you look at your problem through the dark lens of hopelessness. Craig Groshell said "Most of life’s battles are won or lost in the mind." Isaiah 43:2 NLT “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” I have held on to that promise so many times…so many times. God has always, always brought me through the fire. I’ve been burned by relationships and situations; but now I am healed. Sequoias are magnificent giant trees that live only in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Many are over a thousand years old. Fire dependent? In spite of the fact that they are fire resistant they are fire dependent. Every sequoia that has stood the tests of time has a fire story. They have black scars that declare their story of pain and their testimony of healing. Because a Sequoia is bug, drought and disease resistant, fire and shallow roots are it’s major weakness. Sometimes although a Sequoia is fire resistant, a major fire can burn through its fire resistant, thick, fibrous bark seriously wounding the tree. The fire hurts…but in God’s divine nature He designed a healing process for trees and people. When it comes to people, sometimes healing is a process…sometimes it is a miracle. In trees it is a process that leaves a dark scar. The scar is a reminder, a testimony that this is a place that healed. Ugly? You may think the scar is ugly, but to the tree it is the difference between life and death. Don’t let your story end with the pain. Some people never let God heal them so their story ends with the pain. Wounds that don’t heal get gangrene…and you know how serious that is. Does your scar say, ”This is where a healing took place” or “Ouch! Don’t touch me!” Don’t waste your pain; your scar can be the triumphant story of God’s healing. I’m going to talk about more about brokenness in a later podcast. This attitude shift comes by changing the way you mentally approach problems. It helps to talk to your self. I recently had a problem in my business. Instead of being overwhelmed with anxiety, I grabbed my attitude by the nap of the neck and told myself, “I am about to see God show up in a powerful way.” I felt God’s peace flood my heart as soon as I said those words. I haven’t always handled anxiety that way. In the past I looked at the situation through a lens of hopelessness! I’ve complained. I’ve said things like, “Not again! Why does this always have to happen to me?” Romans 8:28 NLT works in every area of our lives…” And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Look for God! Some folks say look for the good in your problem, but this verse reminds us to look for God when we have a problem. He’ll turn it or put it together in such a way that is produces something valuable, something good in or for us. Promises like these allow the light of hope into our situation. Light helps you see things differently. Hope helps you feel differently. When you go through a problem find a verse(s) that fits your situation. Write it down. Put it in a special notebook or note cards so you can grab them quickly and nourish your thinking. When you read the verse, think about its meaning. Pray the verse. Turn the verse into a faith declaration. Song Find a song that fits the situation or one that encourages your heart and play it on repeat. Refocus your thoughts on His promises when your mind wants to worry. John Adams said "Every problem is an opportunity in disguise." Napoleon Hill said "Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." James 1: 2 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way. Consider my problem a gift? Wow! That thought is an attitude changer. Henry Ford wanted to produce an affordable car. Andrew Carnegie wanted to produce affordable steel. Bill Gates wanted to put a computer on every desk and in every home. There were so many problems, obstacles and challenges that stood between them and their dream. At the time it seemed impossible, but they found a way. They asked questions... looked for solutions... and the world is a different place because they did! Fire dependent? What? Earlier I said that sequoias are fire dependent, it needs a fire to reproduce. Sounds crazy, huh! Most of the Sequoias grow in areas that are now National Parks (NPS). Because they are so rare and magnificent, the park service took their responsibility to protect the Sequoias very seriously. Anytime there was a fire, whether it was ignited by lightning or carelessness, the NPS extinguished it with the same intensity you would put out a house fire. But they soon noticed there were no new sprouts. And they also noticed that when a fire got started it was much harder to extinguish because the lack of regular fires allowed the dry shed limbs and the kindling growing around the Sequoia to accumulated. The piles of dry kindling made huge, very hot fires. Sequoia trees are enormous, but their cones are small, about the size of a hen’s egg. Locked inside these green cones are lots of seeds about the size of a piece of oatmeal. Those green seed bearing cones will hang on the sequoia for up to 20 years. The cones need a fire to dry them so they can release their seeds. But first the ground needs a fire…underneath the tree is a heavy mat of thatch, that would literally choke and smoother the seed. Growing around the sequoia is a variety of smaller trees that are gobbling up the nutrients in the soil. When a fire comes it removes the thatch mat and the competition. After a fire, the ground is nourished and ready to grow the baby giant. Removes the competition that hinders their growth. As the fire is burning up the heavy thatch and underbrush, the heat from the fire drafts up the tree and dries out the cones. As the cones dry out they open like a flower, releasing seeds onto prepared ground. Now a new sequoia can begin to grow. Are you going through a fire? Stop trying to put out the fire. Stop trying to run from the fire. Look for God. God is able to bring good things out of bad circumstances. God is able to bring growth in you that will enrich your life instead of destroy it. Yes, your test can produce a powerful testimony. Let me ask you again, “What do you do when it’s hard?” Don’t miss the next session we will look at How to develop a problem solving mind set.
Christmas can be a time of lights, trees, parties, and decadent food, but it is definitely a season of grief and sadness. For some, it's the grief of a lost childhood; the holidays remind us of all the brokenness our young lives were immersed in. For many, Christmas is a strong reminder of the death of a spouse, parent, or child. Christmas was the last time my wife spoke with her mother. Throughout these first days, we've looked back at God's faithfulness in fulfilling every promise of hope He gave His children concerning Jesus. The first prophets boldly proclaimed God's coming amidst vast consumerism, greed, and a society that seemed “well off”. Then, in later years, prophets declared this hope amidst a broken society, exile, and confusion. As the people grieved the loss of everything, the prophets said things like, “Prepare the way of the Lord! The Lord will gather his people! The King will come and rule with justice and all will be made right.” The Psalmists also wrote in the same time, however, “The Lord watches over us!” Accompanying Hope Advent is a moment that pushes us into this odd kind of mourning—a mourning with hope. Grief or mourning described in the Scriptures challenges our notions of grief. It isn't a Hemingway-esq burying of all emotions and denial of pain. It isn't a journey to “getting over it” or moving on. On the other hand, it's not a constant groveling in that pain either. Often, we're prone to make our grief the central thing about ourselves and the central thing about God. We belittle people's attempts to speak words of life, encouragement, or truth. The Scriptures don't tell us how to grieve, but they tell us what we possess in our grief. The Bible tells us of the accompanying presence of hope. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (NLT): Dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. And then in 1 Peter 1:3-6 (NIV): Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. The incarnation of God in Jesus guarantees hope as a possession in every trial and at the foot of every grave of every fallen saint. The core of your mourning contains a lasting hope in Christ's arrival, His death, His resurrection, and His return. This hope doesn't expel weeping, often it welcomes it. When you are informed, as Paul says, of the hope of Christ, or when you've received the inheritance of hope, as Peter describes, you see the world more clearly. You see the fractured marriages, you see the pain of loneliness, the injustice of poverty, the horror of war, and all of creation itself cracking under the weight of pressure of human sin. You see those things, knowing this is not how Jesus intended His world to be. You also see those things and know that, through the sacrifice of Christ's life and in the great wealth of His love, all of this will be made new. I invite you to spend time reflecting on this question: What hope does this Christ-Child Almighty God bring you? Where do you need that hope? How will you respond when it arrives in the ordinary and the humble? .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_15 .et_bloom_form_content button { background-color: #c75145 !important; } .et_bloom .et_bloom_optin_15 .
Conquer Your Obstacles John 10:10 (NLT) The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. Obstacle of Endurance James 1:2-4 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come...
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 (NIV) It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants… Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG) …a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG) I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom. Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG) In our world we don't have a BEHAVIOR problem… we have a HEART problem. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:22-25 (NLT) Message Title: “The Filter of Kindness” Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV) Our Attitude Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful… Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another… Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17(NIV) “Your problem is now your problem. Your problem is the way you are acting because of your problem.” - Joyce Meyer Doing what you don't feel like doing is how you build Godly Character in your life. Our Interactions A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Matthew 7:18-20 (NLT) Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:18-20 (NLT) God never intended for His characteristics in your life to be contingent on how people treat you… but for how you treat people to be contingent on His characteristics in your life. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1-4 (NIV) Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Romans 2:1-4 (NIV) Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:1-4 (NIV) God never asks something from us that he does not first demonstrate to us. Our Influence Kindness is a SPIRITUAL tool, that creates HUMAN productivity. A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 (NIV) You can disagree with someone... And still be kind to them. Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other… Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:9-21 (NLT) Could it be that the influence you want to see, is just behind the Kindness you need to show? Because we LOVE unconditionally, have the inner strength of JOY and PEACE, and we choose to exercise our PATIENCE… we can in every situation be KIND to the world around us. 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. Matthew 11:28-29 (NLT)
Tension: sense of conflict, or a pulling force For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NIV) Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NIV) For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NIV) Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NIV) So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NIV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NIV) “The Tension Between FAITH and FEELING” Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV) To follow Jesus… we have to walk by what we don't see. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. Galatians 5:16-17(NLT) The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. Galatians 5:16-17(NLT) These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Galatians 5:16-17(NLT) I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. Romans 7:15-18 (NLT) But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:15-18 (NLT) And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. Romans 7:15-18 (NLT) We don't belong to this world. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy.” 1 Peter 2:10-11 (NLT) Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. 1 Peter 2:10-11 (NLT) We are in this world… but not of it. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT) We have a standard to follow. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105 (NLT) All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) God's voice will always line up with God's word. We can't trust our feelings Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) Choices lead; feelings follow. “It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” - C.S. Lewis We need God's power to manage it. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 (NIV) The tension you feel is not stronger then the God you follow. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT) Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)
NotesVerses{“Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 13:1 NLT}{“Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is...
(Isaiah 1:18) (NLT) “Come now, let's settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. If you will only obey me, Title of Message: It's A Wonderful Life Worth Living Betrayed Falsely Accused Rejected Abused Humiliated (Hebrews 2:17-19) (MSG) That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed. (1 Peter 4:1) (NCV) Since Christ suffered while he was in his body, strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking Christ had. (Luke 23:34) (NLT) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing.” Choose to see the people or the situation you're going through different. It's A Wonderful Life Worth Living So: 1. Live it selflessly. (Matthew 20:25) (NLT) But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. (Matthew 20:26-27) (NLT) But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 2. Live it to influence others for Jesus. Are we using our influence for selfish ends or are we using our influence to bring glory to God? (Philippians 1:12) (NLT) I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 3. Live it at peace with others (Romans 12:18) (NLT) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18) (NLT) Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) (NLT) Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Rediscover, Part 2: The Church Misconceptions about the church MISCONCEPTION # 1: Worship is singing. “…true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23-24 NLT) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1 NIV) MISCONCEPTION # 2: All I have to do is show up. “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT) “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. …And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.” (Hebrews 6:1-3 NLT) “Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don't believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and endurance.” (Hebrews 6:9-12 NLT) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV) MISCONCEPTION # 3: To live the Christian Life…I just need to try harder. “Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:30-31 NLT) “…God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27 NIV) For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www. freedom-church. org.
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