Podcasts about nlt do

Sustainability, Simplicity and Sanity Time for Others “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message REAL RELATIONSHIPS HAVE REAL FLAWS EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE FLAWED, WE ALL NEED RELATIONSHIPS “Soon the house where [Jesus] was staying was so paced with visitors that there wasn't room for one more person, not even outside the door. And He preached the word to them. Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above His head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus.” Mark 2:2-4 NLT 1. STOP THE DENIAL 2. START THE DISCOVERY Friends Stimulate Spiritual Growth “As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend.” Proverbs 27:17 NLT Friends Comfort Us “A friend loves at all times…” Proverbs 17:17 NIV “Jesus wept” John 11:35 NLT Friends Enable Us to Obey Scripture “We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11 NLT “Do for others what you would like others to do for you.” Matthew 7:12 NLT I Must Invest Time! I Must Invest Heart! Bottom line: Simplicity works best in the context of a living, loving, growing, vibrant, deepening, relationship with God.

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we have been talking about intimacy and how important it is to experience this dynamic with God, in relationships, and inside a community. Today, we will look at a different type of intimacy, in fact, the deepest intimacy possible.In Paul's teaching to the church at Corinth, he tied an Old Testament reality to the new reality Jesus provided. The temple was once a physical structure where only designated priests could enter. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, along with the presence of the Holy Spirit, allows His to be brought into our own hearts through faith in Christ.Listen to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 …Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NLT)Do you see it? As followers of Christ, we literally become His temple. This brings an incredible new type of intimacy and closeness … God with us and God in us. We, of course, do not become God, but He now lives inside our lives.Let's read this passage again in The Message Bible.Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.As I have asked you a number of times on other days in Sound Mind Set, was there any line or phrase that stood you to you? What was it? … Why do you think it stood out to you? What might God be saying by highlighting that for you?For the believer, the crucial focus here is that our bodies no longer belong to us. The temple of God is no longer a building or a place only priests can visit. Christ's death and resurrection, along with the introduction of the Holy Spirit, makes us His temple. Shouldn't that bring an entirely new focus and meaning to our lives? What we choose to do and not do with His temple? Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, seeing myself as Your temple is a tough concept to grasp. But I didn't say that about me, You did. So help me to believe it, accept it as truth, and live it out. I need to simply believe what You tell me, about me. As above, so below.”

Word for Today:1 John‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬ ‭NLT‬‬“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.”

“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.'”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭NLT‬‬Do you love your neighbour? this is a big question we must all answer!!

October 13 2024 Sunday Week 24 / Your Place In Him / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons… “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 KJV “So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 NLT “He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 AMPC “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 KJV “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 AMPC “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLT “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” Philippians 4:13 AMPC “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 KJV “For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Hebrews 10:10 NLT “And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One).” Hebrews 10:10 AMPC “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV “Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:20-21 NLT “Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), [Isa. 55:3; 63:11; Ezek. 37:26; Zech. 9:11.] Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).” Hebrews 13:20-21 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured

What to do when God doesn't give you what you want…  *We learn to trust God in the trials (think of Hannah who couldn't have children)  Hannah chooses to trust God she's crying out to God and asks God to “look upon her sorrow”  She decided that she would trust God no matter what.  1 Samuel 1 “ the lord remembers her plea and she gave birth to a son”  Samuel means “heard by God” Remembering her trial & God heard her prayer.  How do you wait well?  We may not always understand, but we can see his faithfulness throughout our lives.  *Reminder: we will always experience disappointment…this earth and everything in it was never meant to satisfy.  Luke 22:42 “…not my will, but yours be done.” There is purpose in your pain…  He knows what we are feeling, and we can trust Him to carry the burdens of our souls.  A lot of the time we are disappointed because we are putting our hope in the wrong places. People  Jobs  Relationships Children  Money  Status Verses:  “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Psalms 73:26 NLT “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”  Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”Revelation 21:4 NLT “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 40:31 NLT --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefreedompodcast/support

Today, we continued our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Matthew 7. This passage carries forward Jesus' themes of mercy, forgiveness, and righteousness, prompting us to examine the state of our hearts. Main Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6 (NLT) “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.” Key Points 1. Understanding Judgement: - Jesus warns against the unfair, condemning, and overcritical judgment of others. - This kind of judgment contrasts with mercy, love, humility, and generosity. - Jesus isn't forbidding all judgment but encourages moral discernment and self-examination. 2. Consequences of Judgment: - You will not be judged if you refrain from judging others harshly. - The standards you use to judge others will be applied to you by God. 3. Judgement of God: - The Greek verb in “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged” refers to God's judgment. - We are reminded that only God has the authority to judge as stated in James 4:11-12 and Romans 14:10-12. 4. Practical Applications: - Instead of focusing on the faults of others, we should reflect on our own hearts and behaviours. - Criticizing others often stems from our own insecurities and faults. Addressing our issues helps us avoid hypocrisy. - Time spent judging others is better used for self-improvement and serving others with mercy, love, and humility. 5. Life Application Study Bible Insights: - Jesus calls for self-examination over judging others. - Recognize that the faults we see in others often mirror our own. - Before criticizing others, ensure you are open to receiving the same critique. Conclusion Jesus' message is clear: refrain from judging others with harshness and instead focus on our hearts. Living out the principles of mercy, love, generosity, and humility reflects the Kingdom of God. Spend time dealing with your own faults and be irrationally generous. Love others rather than judging them, and always do the right things for the right reasons. Action Points: - Examine your own heart and motives. - Serve others with love and humility. - Make God's Kingdom your primary concern. - Practice irrational generosity and forgiveness. In doing so, we align ourselves more closely with the teachings of Jesus and cultivate the right heart.

You Perform Exactly How You See Yourself.  ”For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23‬:‭7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ ”Everything I feared and dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace or quietness. I have no rest, only trouble.” ‭‭Job‬ ‭3‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NCV‬ (Jesus told Peter he was a rock because He wanted Peter to believe it for himself) (David claimed Psalm 139 over himself) (God wants you to like what you see when you look at yourself) **Build Confidence By Identifying Your Strengths.**  (Everybody is talented at something, but you gotta find what you're talented at and passionate about) ”God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬ ”Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.“ ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.“ ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭29‬ ‭NKJV (You're not a victim, but if you believe you are you will be) (The more aware you are of your gifts, the more confidence you'll have, the higher you'll perform) (You're  not as insecure about what you suck at when you know what you don't suck at)

'By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life… In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises… The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 2 Peter 1:3,5,8,10 NLT   THE FIRST RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY ADD TO OUR LIVES IS FAITH   FAITH IS SIMPLY STAYING SUBMITTED AND COMMITTED TO THE WILL OF GOD.   THE SECOND RUNG THAT WE DILIGENTLY PURSUE IS MORAL EXCELLENCE Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence… 2 Peter 1:5 NLT   ' “If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15 NLT   Samson led Israel for twenty years in the days of the Philistines. Judges 15:20 NIV   'The woman ran and told her husband, “A man of God appeared to me! He looked like osonne of God's angels, terrifying to see. I didn't ask where he was from, and he didn't tell me his name. But he told me, ‘You will become pregnant and give birth to a son. You must not drink wine or any other alcoholic drink nor eat any forbidden food. For your  will be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from the moment of his birth until the day of his death.'” Judges 13:6-7 NLT   One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. The people of Gaza were told, “Samson is here!” So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, “At dawn we'll kill him.”Judges 16:1-2 NIV   RARELY DO WE GET TO THE WRONG PLACE IN LIFE BY ONE BAD CHOICE. WE GET THERE ONE STEP AT A TIME, ONE DAY AT A TIME, AND ONE BAD DECISION AT A TIME.   WE DON'T BELIEVE OUR BAD DECISIONS OR DISOBEDIENCE WILL COST US.   But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. Judges 16:3 NIV   Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. Judges 16:4 NIV   IThe rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, “See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels of silver.” So Delilah said to Samson, “Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued.” Judges 16:5-6 NIV   After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. Then she called, “Samson, the Philistines are upon you!” He awoke from his sleep and thought, “I'll go out as before and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him. Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. Judges 16:19-21 NIV   HOW DO YOU PURSUE MORAL EXCELLENCE?   So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT   1. GIRD YOUR MINDS So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 1 Peter 1:13 NLT   But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. 1 Timothy 6:11 NLT   WE HAVE TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU LOVE FREEDOM OVER THE CONVENIENCE OF YOUR TEMPTATION   So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you. James 1:21 GNB   2. GUARD YOUR HEARTS So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. 1 Peter 1:14 NLT Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Ephesians 5:11 NIV 3. GUIDE YOUR LIFESTYLE But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 NLT   'And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 NLT   MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO COMPROMISE   4 MAJOR TRIGGERS:   PLACE       TIME   MOOD       Tremble and in your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. Psalms 4:4-5 NIV   PEOPLE   Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. Proverbs 13:20 NLT   Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV       SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE GOING THE DIRECTION YOU WANT TO GO   Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Transforming Truth: To be truly rich, trust in God and guard the gospel. A Word to the Wealthy  1 Timothy 6:17-19 Hope:  firm expectancy in God that characterizes Christian faith. 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. Romans 5:1 NLT "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:19-21) To be truly rich, trust in God and guard the gospel. A Plea to the Pastor 1 Timothy 20-21 A Benediction for All Believers 1 Timothy 6:21b Do Good, acronym... Develop a Great Commission mindset. Own your responsibility. Give generously, consistently, and cheerfully. Operate through the local church. Open your eyes to the opportunities around you (John 4:35) Depend on God's grace (John 15:5)

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we have been talking about intimacy and how important it is to experience this dynamic with God, in relationships, and inside a community. Today, we will look at a different type of intimacy, in fact, the deepest intimacy possible. In Paul's teaching to the church at Corinth, he tied an Old Testament reality to the new reality Jesus provided. The temple was once a physical structure where only designated priests could enter. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, along with the presence of the Holy Spirit, allows His to be brought into our own hearts through faith in Christ. Listen to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 … Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NLT) Do you see it? As followers of Christ, we literally become His temple. This brings an incredible new type of intimacy and closeness … God with us and God in us. We, of course, do not become God, but He now lives inside our lives. Let's read this passage again in The Message Bible. Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. As I have asked you a number of times on other days in Sound Mind Set, was there any line or phrase that stood you to you? What was it? … Why do you think it stood out to you? What might God be saying by highlighting that for you? For the believer, the crucial focus here is that our bodies no longer belong to us. The temple of God is no longer a building or a place only priests can visit. Christ's death and resurrection, along with the introduction of the Holy Spirit, makes us His temple. Shouldn't that bring an entirely new focus and meaning to our lives? What we choose to do and not do with His temple?  Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, seeing myself as Your temple is a tough concept to grasp. But I didn't say that about me, You did. So help me to believe it, accept it as truth, and live it out. I need to simply believe what You tell me, about me. As above, so below.”

Becoming BeYOUtiful You Part 4 - Peace “…when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” Galatians 5:22, 23 NLT 1.Storms hit everyone- even the Followers of Jesus “Don't worry about anything” Philippians 4:6 NLT “…Do not be anxious for tomorrow…each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NAS “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! And if worry can't do little things like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?” Luke 12: 25, 26 NLT “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 NIV 2. Followers of Jesus can't Stop Storms 3.Only Jesus Christ is Powerful Enough to Stop Storms As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's cross to the other side of the lake." So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "PEACE! Be still!" Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:35-39 4. Jesus is not Shaken by Storms PERSONAL STEPS TO PEACE IN THE STORMS- PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING “Pray about everything” Philippians 4:6 NLT Prayer Reminds Us of God's BIGNESS “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool…My hand made all these things” Isaiah 66:1, 2 NAS Prayer Reminds us of God's NEARNESS “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NAS THANK HIM FOR ALL HE HAS DONE “Thank Him for all He has done” Philippians 4:6 NLT Peace is a Quality of Soul, not a Quality of Circumstances! Peace is not the absence of storms. It's calm within the storm. Peace is not found in a place; it's found in a person- His Name is Jesus!

Scripture teaches, “don't be anxious. Just pray.” Maybe we don't because prayer comes with plenty of reasons to be anxious. Prayer itself makes us anxious because it uncovers fears we can ignore as long as we don't engage deeply, thoughtfully, vulnerably with God.” Tyler Staten “This is the way it is with spiritual disciplines – they are a way of sowing to the Spirit. The disciplines are Gods way of getting us into the ground; they put us where he can work within us and transform us. By themselves they spiritual disciplines can do nothing; they can only get us to the place where something can be done by God.” Richard Foster “Celebration of Discipline” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) - Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 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

Practice > ‘New Year's Resolution Spirituality'   When we think about the good news of Jesus, two approaches in the form of a question come to mind. There are two contrasting questions that form our shift today from making converts to making disciples. Question 1: In a ‘Conversion Centered Gospel' one might ask “If you were to die tonight, would you go to heaven?” Question 2: In a disciple centered gospel one might ask “If you knew you were going to live forever, what kind of person would you like to become?” The second question focuses on a process of growing toward Christlikeness. One question is just concerned with getting us to heaven. The other is concerned with who I am right now and who I am becoming. This is what we call discipleship or spiritual formation which is the development of a heart for God. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) - Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 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

January 07 2024 Sunday A Study In Romans Week 11 / T. Stacy Hayes #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. This In Him Scripture Study Started On June 21 2021 Go Back And Listen From The Beginning…  The Study In Romans Started on March 30 2022 Go Back And Listen To This Study From The Beginning… Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons… “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:12-13 KJV “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” Romans 6:12-13 NLT “Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lusts and evil passions. Do not continue offering or yielding your bodily members [and faculties] to sin as instruments (tools) of wickedness. But offer and yield yourselves to God as though you have been raised from the dead to [perpetual] life, and your bodily members [and faculties] to God, presenting them as implements of righteousness.” Romans 6:12-13 AMPC “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:14 KJV “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace.” Romans 6:14 NLT “For sin shall not [any longer] exert dominion over you, since now you are not under Law [as slaves], but under grace [as subjects of God's favor and mercy].” Romans 6:14 AMPC “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Romans 6:15 KJV “Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!” Romans 6:15 NLT “What then [are we to conclude]? Shall we sin because we live not under Law but under God's favor and mercy? Certainly not!” Romans 6:15 AMPC “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16 KJV “Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” Romans 6:16 NLT “Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?” Romans 6:16 AMPC “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:17-18 KJV “Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” Romans 6:17-18 NLT “But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed. And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of righteousness (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and action).” Romans 6:17-18 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured                    

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Everybody's got something worth cooking, but you gotta find what you wanna cook.  Pray. “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Evaluate your life: What do you love? What are you good at? “Now, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand about spiritual gifts.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ ‭NCV‬‬ “Do your planning and prepare your fields before building your house.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭27‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Work what you got and where you are faithfully and fiercely.  “After Ehud, Shamgar son of Anath rescued Israel. He once killed 600 Philistines with an ox goad.” ‭‭Judges‬ ‭3‬:‭31‬ ‭NLT‬‬  “Do not despise these small beginnings…” ‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬  Get really good at what you're good at.  “Use the gift you have, which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you. Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone.” ‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭NCV‬‬ Hang around the people that are better than you and make you better.   “The righteous choose their friends carefully…” Proverbs 12:26 NIV Your gifts will work for you. “A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18‬:‭16‬ ‭NKJV

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Psalms 119:1-5 NLT And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. Luke 16:9 NKJV He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own? Luke 16:10-12 NKJV No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13 NKJV 1. WHAT IS MAMMON? And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves… Genesis 11:4 NKJV '“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.' Isaiah 14:12-14 NLT No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Matthew 6:24 NKJV Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:25-26 NKJV MAMMON PROMISES US THINGS ONLY GOD CAN PROVIDE Cause my heart to bow before your words of wisdom and not to the wealth of this world. Psalms 119:36 NLT 2. IS MONEY EVIL? MONEY IS NOT EVIL IT IS NEUTRAL For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10 NLT And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. Luke 16:9 NKJV ONLY GOD CAN TURN UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON INTO SOULS 3. WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY MONEY? 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 NLT SATISFACTION IS ROOTED IN LIVING YOUR PURPOSE! And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? Luke 16:11 NLT Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV Decide: “When you have plans that are diligent, it leads to plenty.” Proverbs 21:5.   Discover: “God will supply all your needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.   Dream: “God can do exceedingly abundantly more than all we can ask for or imagine.” Ephesians 3:20   'They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. Psalms 126:6 NLT   None of us can do everything but everybody can do something and together, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! HOW CAN YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR HEART IS? 'And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26 NLT  

Domestic violence is a complicated topic. Even though I worked for a time in a domestic violence court, I'd never seen a case like this before. A case where a child was made to kill - by her mother.    Welcome to another episode of The Unlovely Truth. I'm your host, private investigator Lori Morrison. Join me for another captivating true crime story, where physical, spiritual, and emotional safety takeaways are waiting for us. If you are listening, I believe you have a unique calling—to become a different kind of PI, not a typical private investigator, but a person of impact!   This is Season 4, Episode 40. Our book this week is “My Mother's Soldier” by Mary Elizabeth Bailey. Our guest is Chris Moles, who edited and contributed to “Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse” written by a team of biblical counselors. Chris is a pastor, a certified biblical counselor, an author, and a podcaster. He's going to help us unpack some areas where the church needs to grow when it comes to responding and ministering to families that have experienced domestic abuse.   Childhood wounds plague us all, but it's hard to imagine any worse than those of Mary Elizabeth Bailey. When she was just 11 years old she committed a murder. That's incredibly shocking for most if not all of us. What's even more shocking and perverse is why she did it. Mary killed her abusive step father, not because she thought it was the only way to stop the abuse. She killed him because her mother told her to.   Proverbs 3:27-28 NLT   Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it's in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don't say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I'll help you.”   It's in our power to help people stay safer more often than we think. Mary's mother could've kept her children safer if she'd made less selfish choices. You'll have to trust me that I didn't go into as many details as the book did. Mary's grandmother could've called the authorities. Maybe she feared losing the kids to foster care but that's what happened in the end anyway. Brother Jim and Mrs. Kay probably did more for Mary than anyone.    We don't know if the schools that Mary attended did much. To be fair, her family moved a lot which is quite common among families where abuse is happening. If the abuser doesn't let you get close to anyone, it's less likely you'll get help. It doesn't seem as though neighbors did much, or at least if attempts were made they weren't successful.    But we are all supposed to do good things for people whenever we can. We aren't supposed to put it off! Keeping a battered wife and an abused child safe is certainly good. If you suspect that someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there are several different ways you can help. If you fear for that person's immediate safety, call 9-1-1. Today's verse says not to say you'll help tomorrow. For some victims of domestic violence, tomorrow will be too late.   You can also tell the person you are concerned about them and want them to know that you are a safe person to talk to when they are ready. Make sure you let them know that a hotline exists that they can call for confidential help from trained advocates. I've put that number in the show notes for you so be sure you store that number somewhere you can access it.    Anyone experiencing domestic violence needs to be reminded that they don't deserve what is happening to them and that they are not to blame. They need to be believed. They need to know that God's plan for loving relationships, especially marriages, is that each partner puts the other's needs above their own. Children are to be seen as a blessing and not a burden.    We need to tell them how much God loves them, but we can't stop at mere words. We have to show that love by doing whatever good is in our power to do for them. I challenge all of us to find someone in our circle who needs us to see them, believe them, and offer practical help to them.   Let me know what you think! Send me an email a lori@theunlovelytruth.com or message me on social media. I love it when people are willing to have those hard, but impactful conversations!   Visit my website to access more episodes, read my blog posts, or check out ways you can financially support the podcast so that together we can impact more people, more families, and more communities. If you would like to contact me about booking me as a speaker, or ask about my consulting and investigative services, please email me at lori@theunlovelytruth.com.    Get Chris's newest book (and support The Unlovely Truth by using this affiliate link)   For church leaders - grab a copy of The Heart of Domestic Abuse: Gospel Solutions for Men Who Use Control and Violence in the Home (affiliate link)   Visit Chris's website   Check out www.menofpeace.org   Share the episode    Other episodes on Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Statistics Don't Lie: Meet the Man Trying to Change Them, Domestic Violence: There is Help Available   Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn   Let me know how The Unlovely Truth has made a difference in your life!     Need Help? Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) to reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline  

Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right. Psalms 106:3 NIV Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people, come to my aid when you save them, that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones, that I may share in the joy of your nation and join your inheritance in giving praise. Psalms 106:4-5 NIV You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.' Acts 20:35 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2 NIV “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38 NIV Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:37-38 NIV HOW TO DEVELOP A HEART OF GENEROSITY But if there are any poor Israelites in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 NLT 1. DEAL WITH A SELFISH HEART Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year for canceling debts is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. Deuteronomy 15:9 WHY DID GOD INVENT GIVING? GIVING OVER ANY OTHER ACTIVITY WORKS SELFISHNESS AND GREED OUT OF OUR HEARTS People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives. Proverbs 16:2 NLT when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure. James 4:3 NLT 2. DEAL WITH A GRIEVING HEART Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. Deuteronomy 15:10 NLT HOW DO YOU COMBAT GRIEF? YOU HAVE THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE REGARDING “YOUR” MONEY 3. DEVELOP A GENEROUS HEART Give him a generous farewell gift from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. Share with him some of the bounty with which the Lord your God has blessed you. Deuteronomy 15:14 NLT HOW DO YOU WALK IN GENEROSITY? BY RENEWING OUR MINDS Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2 NLT A heart touched by God desires to give   “I know that when I take time to talk to God and obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit I feel alive and life is joyous and exciting.” Peter Marshall   It is time for people to quit wandering, and it is time for people to connect with their God-given purpose.   “We are not saved to go to heaven. If so, why didn't we go to heaven right then? Heaven is a by-product. We are saved to tell others and to let Jesus Christ live in us.” -Jimmy Draper 4. DEVELOP A GRATEFUL HEART Remember that you were once slaves in the land of Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you! That is why I am giving you this command. Deuteronomy 15:15 NLT live each day with holy awe and reverence throughout your time on earth. For you know that your lives were ransomed once and for all from the empty and futile way of life handed down from generation to generation. It was not a ransom payment of silver and gold, which eventually perishes, but the precious blood of Christ—who like a spotless, unblemished lamb was sacrificed for us. 1 Peter 1:17-19 TPT

Text: Philippians 2:12-30 Theme: In our passage today, Paul unlocks a massive key to our ability to shine in dark places. You might be surprised at how simple, and yet how powerful it is. Key Verses: Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT) Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Message Notes: https://www.bible.com/en-GB/events/49144827

Romans 6:12-14 NLT Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Granting forgiveness, experiencing total freedom, and letting go for good is a mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. And yes, it can even be physical. Holding onto bitterness affects our ability to smile, facial expressions, countenance, and body language. When our hearts are closed, we look closed off. Giving ourselves completely to God, as Paul tells us here, is as much as about what we let go of as what we take up. To block forgiveness from someone is to allow sin to be our master and keep us under the law, not under grace. And when we can't give grace, we can't embrace grace. If there is someone you struggle to let go of and forgive, think about how this makes you feel, even physically, how it affects your being in every manner? Refusing to let go creates more pain as we work harder to hold on. Listen once again to Paul's commands: Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. (Romans 6:12-14 NLT) Forgiveness and letting go diminishes sin's control, allowing us the freedom to give ourselves completely to God, to glorify Him, for Him to be our Master, not sin. To live under the freedom of God's grace. Pray with me, using Paul's words: “Dear Father, help me to not let sin control the way I live; to not give in to sinful desires, to not let any part of my body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Help me to give myself completely to You and experience new life, to use my whole body as an instrument to do what is right for Your glory. I do not want sin to be my master or live under the requirements of the law. Instead, let me live under the freedom of Your grace. As above, so below.”

July 23 2023 Sunday T. Stacy Hayes   Week 28 / God's Heir Through Salvation  #findoutwhoyouare My Vision My vision is to teach the world Who They Are In Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior! To Teach them what the Bible says about them and who they have been made to be in the promises of God's Word. This changed my life years ago and completely transformed me from a person full of doubt, fear and unbelief to a strong confident Christian that knows I can do anything through Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. And I'm determined to teach the world what God has taught and commissioned me to teach and that is His Word.  That commission takes me to jails and detention centers weekly along with other open doors at many churches and ministries that are wanting to teach these important truths to the world. My podcast goes out 6 days a week to help the people I am ministering to grow in the truths that God has taught me for many years now. This podcast is free to all that want to listen and grow strong in who God has made them to be in Christ Jesus their Lord and Savior. This In Him Scripture Study Started On June 21 2021 Go Back And Listen From The Beginning…  The Study In Romans Started on March 30 2022 Go Back And Listen To This Study From The Beginning… Isaiah 53:5  Healing… Matthew 18:19  Agree with God's Word… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Acts 10:34  God is no respecter of persons… “Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Galatians 4:7 KJV “Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” Galatians 4:7 NLT “Therefore, you are no longer a slave (bond servant) but a son; and if a son, then [it follows that you are] an heir by the aid of God, through Christ.” Galatians 4:7 AMPC “that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 KJV “So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 NLT “He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 AMPC “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 KJV “Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 AMPC “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 KJV “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NLT “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].” Philippians 4:13 AMPC “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Hebrews 10:10 KJV “For God's will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.” Hebrews 10:10 NLT “And in accordance with this will [of God], we have been made holy (consecrated and sanctified) through the offering made once for all of the body of Jesus Christ (the Anointed One).” Hebrews 10:10 AMPC Romans 10:9-10  Salvation… Romans 10:17  Faith in God comes from hearing His Word… Matthew 11:28-30  Jesus'Yoke is Easy… John 3:16  God gave Jesus to pay for our Salvation… God Loves The abortion dr As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Philippians 12:2  Work out your own Salvation… Romans 8:1  No condemnation in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior…  Luke Chapter 15 The Story Of The Prodigal Son… Philippians 4:19  God will supply all your needs let Him… Romans 4:20  Don't Stagger at What God Is Saying In His Word… John 15:5 We can't do anything aside from Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:17  We are new creatures in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… 2 Corinthians 5:21  We are The Righteousness of God In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Ephesians 2:8  We are Saved by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Believe God's Word Above All Opinions God Loves The abortion dr's As Much As He Loves The Babies They Are Killing… Mark 10:29-30  100 Fold Return… Share This Podcast On Your Social Media… Website https://the-prodigalson.com Email tstacyhayes@gmail.com  YouVersion Bible App https://my.bible.comi iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/prodigal-son/id1450529518?mt=8 …  Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.wizzard.android.prodical  Social Media https://www.facebook.com/The-Prodigal-SON-209069136315959/ https://www.facebook.com/noreligion1511/ https://twitter.com/noreligion1511 https://www.instagram.com/noreligion1511/ https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCPx4s1CLkSYef6mp4dSuU4w/featured                    

Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬ ““Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.” ‭‭ God has given us His law about forgiveness and He has commanded us to forgive others the same way we have been forgiven. But how do you actually perceive forgiveness? Do you think you're doing people a favour by forgiving them?

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we have been talking about intimacy and how important it is to experience this dynamic with God, in relationships, and inside a community. Today, we will look at a different type of intimacy, in fact, the deepest intimacy possible. In Paul's teaching to the church at Corinth, he tied an Old Testament reality to the new reality Jesus provided. The temple was once a physical structure where only designated priests could enter. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, along with the presence of the Holy Spirit, allows His to be brought into our own hearts through faith in Christ. Listen to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 … Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NLT) Do you see it? As followers of Christ, we literally become His temple. This brings an incredible new type of intimacy and closeness … God with us and God in us. We, of course, do not become God, but He now lives inside our lives. Let's read this passage again in The Message Bible. Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. As I have asked you a number of times on other days in Sound Mind Set, was there any line or phrase that stood you to you? What was it? … Why do you think it stood out to you? What might God be saying by highlighting that for you? For the believer, the crucial focus here is that our bodies no longer belong to us. The temple of God is no longer a building or a place only priests can visit. Christ's death and resurrection, along with the introduction of the Holy Spirit, makes us His temple. Shouldn't that bring an entirely new focus and meaning to our lives? What we choose to do and not do with His temple? Let's pray together: “Heavenly Father, seeing myself as Your temple is a tough concept to grasp. But I didn't say that about me, You did. So help me to believe it, accept it as truth, and live it out. I need to simply believe what You tell me, about me. As above, so below.”

Philippians 4 is the anxiety chapter of the Bible. The most famous verses are 6 and 7, where Paul reveals the secret of replacing the anxiety cycle with the peace cycle. Verse 8 explains how to overcome ruinous rumination by fixing your thoughts on better things. But all of this comes in the shadow of perhaps the most obscure verses in the entire book: Philippians 4:2-3 (NLT) Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. Paul is referencing here another type of anxiety all too common in the church and in our homes: relational anxiety. Apparently these two women had a serious disagreement. To Paul, it was a big enough deal that he included it in scripture! It should be a big deal to us as well. So let's talk about four practical steps to settling disagreements and overcoming relational anxiety. Commit to being a peace-maker. Every family and organization has a set of core values, whether they are plastered on walls or simply embedded in the hearts and minds of the members. The early church was no different, and one of its values is summarized best here: Romans 12:17 (NLT) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Put yourself in their shoes. So how do you start? What's the first step in biblical reconciliation? Try this: put yourself in their shoes. Resist the urge to get in your box and point fingers. Follow the example of Christ: Philippians 2:4 (NLT) Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. This is hard and unnatural. Who does this? By nature we're all trained to think about conflict from our own perspectives. We give ourselves the benefit of the doubt and we extend little grace to others. They do the same thing to us, and the disagreement only gets more unsettling. So try this instead: think about it from their perspective. Play over the conversation in your head and try to articulate the problem in their words. How would you feel in their position? Stop fixating on what they've done wrong. Look in the mirror instead. Pray this prayer: Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Talk to them, not about them. In conflict, it's far easier to talk about someone than it is to talk directly to them. When you gossip, you seek out someone who will take your side. You triangulate and look for a “yes man” who will confirm that you're right and the other person is wrong. But as soon as you do this, you're wrong. Even if you were right to start with. It's called the “Matthew 18 Protocol,” and it comes straight from the mouth of Jesus. It's a principle for dealing with conflict that very few Christians apply to their relationships. Matthew 18:15-16 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. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again…. Be ready to absorb the offense. Sometimes the Matthew 18 Protocol opens the door to a miracle. Both people hear each other out. Apologies are offered and hugs are exchanged. The disagreement is settled! But sometimes it doesn't work. The hardest part of reconciliation is when it doesn't go as planned. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pursuegod/support

Leviticus‬ ‭19‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬ ““Do not steal. “Do not deceive or cheat one another. “Do not bring shame on the name of your God by using it to swear falsely. I am the Lord. “Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. “Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay.” There are several forms of stealing and we need to check ourselves to see if we're stealing from God or from other people in anyway!

Text: Various Theme: It doesn't seem like a big deal but being a “complainer” can easily derail God's best for you. Complaining not only poisons our heart, but those around us can be affected as well. This week we'll search God's Word for help with the pandemic of complaining. Key Verse: Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT) Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Message Notes: https://my.bible.com/en-GB/events/48964805

Romans 6:12-14 NLT Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Granting forgiveness, experiencing total freedom, and letting go for good is a mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. And yes, it can even be physical. Holding onto bitterness affects our ability to smile, facial expressions, countenance, and body language. When our hearts are closed, we look closed off. Giving ourselves completely to God, as Paul tells us here, is as much as about what we let go of as what we take up. To block forgiveness from someone is to allow sin to be our master and keep us under the law, not under grace. And when we can't give grace, we can't embrace grace. If there is someone you struggle to let go of and forgive, think about how this makes you feel, even physically, how it affects your being in every manner? Refusing to let go creates more pain as we work harder to hold on. Listen once again to Paul's commands: Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. (Romans 6:12-14 NLT) Forgiveness and letting go diminishes sin's control, allowing us the freedom to give ourselves completely to God, to glorify Him, for Him to be our Master, not sin. To live under the freedom of God's grace. Pray with me, using Paul's words: “Dear Father, help me to not let sin control the way I live; to not give in to sinful desires, to not let any part of my body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Help me to give myself completely to You and experience new life, to use my whole body as an instrument to do what is right for Your glory. I do not want sin to be my master or live under the requirements of the law. Instead, let me live under the freedom of Your grace. As above, so below.”

CELEBRATION SUNDAY Revelation 12:11 King James Version 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,(Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. EXODUS 23:14 “Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. 15 “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt. “No one is to appear before me empty-handed. 16 “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. “Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field. 17 “Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign Lord. Exodus 23:15 “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread ….. “No one is to appear before me empty-handed Exodus 23:16 “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Fusion Church exists to REACH people far from Jesus, EQUIP Christ followers and GO to all the nations! Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, Exodus 23:16 “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Exodus 23:16b “Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering (Rejoicing) at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field. APPLICATION: WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU? HOW CAN YOU CELEBRATE ALL GOD IS DOING IN YOUR LIFE THIS WEEK? CELEBRATION SUNDAY Revelation 12:11 King James Version 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,(Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. EXODUS 23:14 “Three times a year you are to celebrate a festival to me. 15 “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread; for seven days eat bread made without yeast, as I commanded you. Do this at the appointed time in the month of Aviv, for in that month you came out of Egypt. “No one is to appear before me empty-handed. 16 “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. “Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field. 17 “Three times a year all the men are to appear before the Sovereign Lord. Exodus 23:15 “Celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread ….. “No one is to appear before me empty-handed Exodus 23:16 “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Fusion Church exists to REACH people far from Jesus, EQUIP Christ followers and GO to all the nations! Zechariah 4:10 (NLT) Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, Exodus 23:16 “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. Exodus 23:16b “Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering (Rejoicing) at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field. APPLICATION: WHAT IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SAYING TO YOU? HOW CAN YOU CELEBRATE ALL GOD IS DOING IN YOUR LIFE THIS WEEK?

The widow of Zarephath plays an important role in Elijah's story. She feeds Elijah in her home. Soon after, her son dies, and Elijah pleads to God for the power to resurrect him.While in the widow's house, Elijah performs the miracle of the jar of flour and the jug of oil. A single spoonful of ground flour that the woman had and the little oil in the jug sufficed, they were not exhausted, and the blessing reigned from within her home.After this, the woman's son falls ill and dies. Imagine the suffering of this woman - not only was she grieving the loss of her husband, but she was now forced to face that she and her son would die too.Resurrection1 Kings 17:18–23 So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” 21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child's soul come back to him.” 22 Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!”The prophet lays himself on the body of the boy, cries out for God to give life to him, and the boy begins to breathe again so the prophet can deliver this son back to his mother.Compare the woman's feelings toward God, with Elijah's. He prayed,  “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” Blaming the ones who helped youJohn 15:20 NLT Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.Notice that the woman is blaming Elijah for the death or her son. The prophet however sees beyond the accusation and looks at a broken heart. He did a bold prayer and God answered his request.  Elijah shows true Godly character. He does not blast her. He does not answer her charges. He makes a tender request to her.There is no precedent for Elijah's request – no one had ever been raised from the dead before. “The LORD heard Elijah's prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he came back to life!” (17:22)God cares for youThe woman and her son are not mentioned anymore in the Bible. Their story shows how God cares for ordinary people and does extraordinary miracles.2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myeveningdevotional.substack.com

You gotta outgrow some- Practices. “When Moses' father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God's decrees and give them his instructions.” “This is not good!” Moses' father-in-law exclaimed. “You're going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.” ‭‭Exodus‬ ‭18:14-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ People.  “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him…Genesis‬ ‭12:1-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis‬ ‭13:14-17‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “Don't be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:33‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Pride. “When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:7-11 NLT

Series: True[ish] Title: Al long as I'm Happy Date: 7.10.22 Location: Perris Valley Church   1 Peter 1:15 (NLT) But now you must be happy holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is happy holy.   When the bottom line is my happiness, happiness becomes the standard by which I judge my actions.    Psalm 37:4 (NLT) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.   Psalm 97:12 (NLT) May all who are godly rejoice in the Lord and praise his holy name!   God doesn't want you happy when it causes you to do something wrong, unwise, or sinful.   Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.   God doesn't want you happy when your happiness is only based on the things in this world.    1 John 2:15 (NLT) Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.   Psalm 1:1-2 (NLT) Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.   God does not want you happy - He wants you blessed.   John 16:23-24 (NLT) At that time you won't need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. 24 You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.   Luke 6:22-23 (NLT) What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.   1 Peter 3:14 (NLT) But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don't worry or be afraid of their threats.  

Exodus 14:11-12 They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” Exodus 16:2-3 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. 3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.” Exodus 16:8 “…You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.” What in your life do you complain about most? Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation...” Philippians 2:14-15 (NLT) Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. IF YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. IF YOU CAN'T CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE. Philippians 2:17-18 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 1:12-13 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.

Summary:How many young people did God use in the bible?Young children simply love, nothing added, and nothing taken away.Show Notes:• There is a simplicity and an openness in children• Many times our own children reveal how easy it is to love• Samuel was 4 years old when God spoke to himReferences:Psalms 139:13, 14 NASB13. For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother 's womb.14. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Mark 9:36, 37 NIV36. He took a little child whom He placed among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them,37. Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the one who sent Me.Matthew 18:3 ISVThen He said, “I tell all of you with certainty, unless you change and become like little children, you will never get into the kingdom from Heaven.Romans 8:38, 39 KJV38. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39. nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Matthew 7:1 NLT“ Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJVYou shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.Quotes:• There is something of an openness that some people have, and some people don't have• People listen from where they are at• God, make us all like little children• It is a simplicity and the openness that you can find the Lord inTake Away:It is the young people that remind us how to love with a purity, with nothing to complicate it. Father restore to us a pure heart towards you

HIS LOVE KEEPS US STRONG Our reading today are I Kings 4-5,  II Chronicles 2,  Psalm 101, and II Thessalonians 3.  We are reading from the New Living Translation. Love leads to service and generosity.  When we fail to experience the love of God we grow despondent, we become idle, we do not serve,  and we are not generous.  Working, serving, and giving become hard to do.  We want to take what we can get rather than give what we have gotten.  We can't give what we don't have. That is why we must experience God's love if we are to show love.  We must be filled and grow in our understanding and expression of his love if we are to give that love to others.  So Paul prays for us.   May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.  (II Thess 3:5 NLT) Do you know that you are loved?  Sometimes it's hard to remember that you are.  It takes patient endurance to hold firmly, to that truth. But we must hold to it.   But God's love is exactly what emerges from the Gospel when we look at Jesus and see what he has done for us.  Each day we need to open up our hearts to the Spirit's working in our lives. We come to His Word, day after day, to be reminded of who he is, what he's done, and what he gives us. And what we have become in him. Through His presence in us, we begin to be led into a full understanding and expression of the love of God.  We learn to patiently endure when it seems like the heavens are silent.  We know that this walk with Christ is a long obedience in the same direction.  He is with us and we can grow and experience His love.  Out of this will come a life of service, generosity, joyfulness and hope.   Let God grow you into a  fuller understanding of His love. 

It takes maturity and security to make better moves.  Make Better Moves Simple- WATCH/LISTEN. Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say. -Isaiah‬ ‭28:23‬ ‭NIV‬‬ Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed, and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy. -Proverbs‬ ‭16:20‬ ‭NCV‬‬ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.‭‭ -1 Timothy‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NLT‬‬ Keep your eyes focused on what is right, and look straight ahead to what is good. ‭‭-Proverbs‬ ‭4:25‬ ‭NCV‬‬ LEARN.   Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity… -Hebrews‬ ‭6:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬ So we must be more careful to follow what we were taught. Then we will not stray away from the truth. -Hebrews‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭NCV‬‬ There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don't seem to listen. 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 ‭5:11-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬   DO.   I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins. -‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:47-49‬ ‭NLT‬‬    Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice. ‭‭-Luke‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬   Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he divides the plunder. -Genesis‬ ‭49:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Sermon Notes - March 27, 2022Love Deeply (1 Peter 4:8-11) - Jon Furman 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT)Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. “cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:9-10 (NLT)Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-10 (NLT)There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all…To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy… 1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Use your gift as an ambassador/representative of God. Use your gifts in God's strength, not your own. Use your gifts to make God great, not yourself.

Zechariah 4:10 NLT - Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.” (The seven lamps[a] represent the eyes of the Lord that search all around the world.) --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mildred-kingsley-okonkwo0/message

I'm New • https://hopecitypdx.com/sunday/join-us-in-person/im-new • Find opportunities to engage and grow! Find Community • https://hopecitypdx.com/community • Growth happens best in community Let Us Pray With You • https://hopecitypdx.com/prayer • Fill out a quick form to let us know how we can be praying for you. Find Care • https://hopecitypdx.com/care • Hope City strives to address unique life circumstances in multiple ways, through care and support. Sermon Notes - March 20, 2022Love Deeply (1 Peter 4:8-11) - Jon Furman 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT)Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. “cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:9-10 (NLT)Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-10 (NLT)There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all…To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy… 1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Use your gift as an ambassador/representative of God. Use your gifts in God's strength, not your own. Use your gifts to make God great, not yourself.

Sermon Notes - March 13, 2022Love Deeply (1 Peter 4:8-11) - Jon Furman 1 Peter 4:8 (NLT)Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. “cover a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:9-10 (NLT)Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Corinthians 12:4, 8-10 (NLT)There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all…To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy… 1 Peter 4:11 (NLT)Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Use your gift as an ambassador/representative of God. Use your gifts in God's strength, not your own. Use your gifts to make God great, not yourself.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. ~ Titus 2:7 (NLT) Do you know the difference between a leader and a boss? Many can't. Here's an easy definition: A boss tells you what to do, a leader shows you what to do. In other words, a boss is all talk, a leader is all action. One leads by example, the other leads by authority. Now, don't get me wrong, as a manager of people myself, I give instructions to those who are under my area of influence. But, I don't just bark orders at them and then complain when they don't deliver things according to my (often times unspoken) desires. Bosses are generally why people don't like showing up to work in the morning. Leaders inspire others to do good. Now, we need to step back for a minute. Because in our 24/7 world we live in, leadership doesn't just happen between the hours of eight and five, Monday through Friday in the workplace. A leader is an influencer even when they aren't at the office. Let me explain. A leader loves their family by not dividing attention between work and wife and/or kids. A leader shows how to have a life balance. A leader takes care of their health by exercising regularly and eating well. A leader shows that without a strong body, a leader's health will crumble. A leader makes sure to get the needed amount of sleep each night. Lack of sleep leads to brain fog and irritability. Leaders need a sharp mind and pleasant demeanor. A leader makes quality time for God each day. If a leader isn't full of God's wisdom, they're working in inferior human wisdom. A leader says no to extra work, and instead empowers others to seek solutions to streamline the work environment. A leader must demonstrate self-care. The Apostle Paul, who was a bit of a workaholic himself, penned this verse, “And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.” So, if we're teaching/leading others, do we walk the walk? Do we actually practice self-care so that those in our sphere of influence get our very best? Do we work in God's wisdom, or in our own flawed intelligence? Today, and every day, practice the spiritual discipline of self-care. When you do, you won't just feel better, you will become a better influencer, and a top-notch leader.

Zechariah 4:10 NLT Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.    Download This Week’s Sermon Notes: https://tinyurl.com/4888jw7d   For YouVersion Notes visit: https://bible.com/events/48835641   ANNOUNCEMENT LINKS:   First time visitor: Text ‘Welcome’ to 559-500-4830   Tithes and Offerings: https://www.kchanford.com/give   Vaccine Mandate resources: kchanford.com/mandate   Volunteer: http://www.kchanford.com/volunteer […] The post Staying on Mission | Habits – Week 5 | Pastor Andrew Cromwell appeared first on Koinonia Church.

Zechariah 4:10 NLT Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.    Download This Week’s Sermon Notes: https://tinyurl.com/4888jw7d   For YouVersion Notes visit: https://bible.com/events/48835641   ANNOUNCEMENT LINKS:   First time visitor: Text ‘Welcome’ to 559-500-4830   Tithes and Offerings: https://www.kchanford.com/give   Vaccine Mandate resources: kchanford.com/mandate   Volunteer: http://www.kchanford.com/volunteer […] The post Staying on Mission | Habits – Week 5 | Pastor Andrew Cromwell appeared first on Koinonia Church.

Find Community • https://willamette.cc/community • Growth happens best in community. Community Life starts this week! Let us pray with you • https://willamette.cc/prayer • Fill out a quick form to let us know how we can be praying for you. Sermon Notes – January 16, 2022Brian Becker – The Worlds We Create: Justice Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)…bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair… Isaiah 61:3b (NIV)They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Other-worldly Romans 12:2 (NLT)Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person… The Way We ThinkThe Words We SayThe Things We Do Biblical JusticeSocial JusticeRacial Justice Orthodoxy: Believing the right thingsOrthopraxy: Doing the right things James 1:22-24 (NIV)Do not merely listen to the word, and so decide yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. James 1:26 (NIV)But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it-they will be blessed in what they do. James 2:14-18 (NIV)What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warn and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. The church is only as valid as it is effective in doing what Jesus did. Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV)Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Jeremiah 22:3 (NIV)This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place. We create worlds by:The way we think.The words we say.The things we do. Psalm 146:7-9 (NIV)He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. God's message is to bring justice to:The outcastThe overlookedThe marginalizedThe vulnerableThe voiceless Micah 6:8 (NASB)He has told you, mortal one, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you, But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? Do justiceLove kindnessWalk humbly-Micah 6:8 Biblical justice is the work of making individuals, communities, and our world whole, by supporting goodness and impartiality in work to reflect God's original intention for all of creation to flourish. Jesus was constantly drawn to:The outcastThe overlookedThe marginalizedThe vulnerableThe voiceless ClassismSexismRacismAbleism 1 John 3:16 (NIV)This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:17-18 (NIV)If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. “I've never done anything to them.” vs. “What can I do for and with them?” How does my life reflect that I am for the vulnerable and marginalized in my community and my world? Follow the pattern and path of Jesus:Draw close.Feel their pain.Seek to understand.Help alongside.Sacrifice for others.Point to Jesus. Love God.Love People.Prove it. Do justice.Love kindness.Walk humbly.-Micah 6:8 “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We would love to gift you with the Come, Sit, Remain Devotion. To receive this free gift please email us at savor@crosstownechurch.comClick below for a link to an interactive family advent calendar.https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-Greatest-Gift-Interactive-Celebration/dp/1496427998/ref=pd_bxgy_img_1/138-4508575-0124202?pd_rd_w=v9oKg&pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&pf_rd_r=Y83R2T9P75GW9WAT11ZF&pd_rd_r=c385346a-99b0-4dcc-92be-f7d121124327&pd_rd_wg=cQiHJ&pd_rd_i=1496427998&psc=1Luke 10:41-42But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[a] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”How many of us are troubled about all the things on our to-do list? God used these verses to remind me that He is my good portion.Lamentations 3:24 The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him.For many of us, we lose focus on what the good thing really is. It is hard to stay focused. It is slow, constant work to remind ourselves that Jesus is the only hope.Zechariah 4:10 NLT “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.”Start where you are today. God will meet you where you are. SAVOR Moment:Be intentional showing someone that you see them during this Christmas season. We wish you all a Merry Christmas. Join us for a candlelight Christmas Eve service at Crosstowne Church at 2, 4 or 6pm.

God asked the question “who told you that?” The things they were experiencing were not coming from Him. You could go further and say that God was asking “who told you that you should be afraid? Who told you that you needed to hide? Who told you that you were guilty? Who told you that?” They were experiencing things straight from the enemy. The enemy acted like their friend and planted that seed of doubt about God's goodness. Then the enemy just waited for it to take root. When it finally did, the enemy switched sides and then started accusing them. -------- **This series is based on the book Don't Give The Enemy A Seat At Your Table” by Louie Giglio. The thoughts and ideas in this post come from the book, but are put into my own words and are not directly quoted. All direct quotes from the book will be noted as such and identified. You can pick up a copy of the book wherever you buy your books. Scriptures referenced in this post. All Scripture is taken from the YouVerison Bible app. The YouVerison Bible is available for free wherever you download your apps. “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”” - Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” - Ephesians 2:10 NLT “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16 NIV “Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.” - Jeremiah 31:3 NLT “And I am convinced that nothing can ever 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.” - Romans 8:38 NLT “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” - Romans 8:31 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.” - Isaiah 41:10 NLT “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” - Matthew 28:20b NLT “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” - John 10:27 NLT “and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” - Ephesians 6:17b NLT “But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.” - Isaiah 43:1 NLT “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” - Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13 NKJV “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.” - Romans 8:18 NLT “But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” - Isaiah 54:17 NLT “For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children.” - Romans 8:16 NLT This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 1:20 NLT

"But one of them, seeing that he was healed, returned and, with a loud voice, gave glory to God. He fell facedown at His feet, thanking Him. And he was a Samaritan." - Luke 17:15-16 "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT) "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." Proverbs 3:27

How do we gain more respect in our relationships? In this week's podcast episode titled "Respect", I break down the importance of setting the tone for how we want to be treated in our relationships by how we treat ourselves. This includes: setting boundaries, communicating our needs, and showing respect to others. Let me know what you think about this week's episode down in the RATING/REVIEW section. Be sure to follow me on Instagram @ReconstructHER! Definition: Respect (n) - due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others. (Oxford Languages) Biblical References: Matthew 22:37-39 (NKJV) - Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Luke 6:31 (NLT) - Do to others as you would like them to do to you. Luke 6:35 (NKJV) - But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Luke 6:38 (NLT) - Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full --- pressed down, shaken together to make room for more running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back." --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/reconstructher/support

He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas. ~ Psalm 102:17 (NLT) Do you ever get a Facebook friend request from someone you have no clue about? Not only can you not figure out who they are, but their profile page seems to be lacking in serious detail – as in, there is a profile picture and name only. If you're on Facebook, you've received those types of requests, no doubt. It's pretty easy to figure out that it is a spammer trying to get you to accept their request so they can flood your Messenger and news feed with links to everything from pornography to a super sale on sunglasses. Of course, then there are those Facebook friend requests that seem OK on the surface. The name is somewhat familiar, and they have a few mutual friends on the social media site. They also have filled in some family, job, and hobby information. They have several pictures up, so it looks legit. It seems easier to accept their friend request. After all, the request seems genuine. So, we click on that accept button. A short time later, here comes the spam! They too were looking for a sucker, they just put a little more effort into their con game. Sometimes we play this game with God. No, we don't send Him a friend request in a literal Facebook sense. We come to Him with an agenda – we want something from Him that we believe we need. So, we try to make deals: “God, if you give me this, I'll do this for you.” Or, we are in a jam, and have no where else to turn, so we cry out to God. Then, shortly after He leads us out, we forget He exists. We come to Him with an agenda, a motive. That's why I love this lyric from the Psalms (our verse today), “He will listen to the prayers of the destitute. He will not reject their pleas.” I don't believe the Psalmist was only speaking about those who have no resources (which is what the word destitute means). I believe it goes deeper. Being destitute also means we have no agenda, no con game to run. We have nothing but our relationship with God. So, when we approach God as a destitute, we aren't trying to trick Him into giving in to our demands. We are talking with a friend, asking advice, seeking counsel, desiring healing, all within the context of that relationship. So, today, and every day, drop the agenda and deepen your relationship with God. Be destitute. Be a real friend. Be a sinner in need of a Savior.

Week Two – June 13, 2021 What the Bible Doesn't Say: “Don't JUDGE me.” Bible: Matthew 7:1 – 6, 1 Corinthians 5:9 -13   “Judgement is about Superiority; Assessment is a Relational Response.”   Matthew 7:1 – 6 (NLT) “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye. 6 “Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.   Judgment comes from God   Romans 2:6 (NLT) 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.   Luke 6:37 (NLT) 37 “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.   Judgment begins with SELF   1 Corinthians 5:9 – 13 (NLT) 9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn't talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people. 12 It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”   Assessment is a Relational Response   Matthew 7:6 (NLT) 6 “Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.   1 Corinthians 5: 12 (NLT) 12 It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.   Matthew 18: 15 – 18 (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. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won't accept the church's decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. 18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.   Things to think about: Seek self-judgment when I start to judge others. Think am I judging that person because I can or because I care. Assessment is a relational process that is about winning the person back not winning a fight. Colossians 1:28 (NLT) 28 So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

Do you question if God is good when there is so much evil, pain, and suffering? There are times when our faith in God is tested and it's critical to take our questions to Him. He can handle what you have to say but you must be willing to pause and wait to see how He will answer you. Join Jodi as she shares what she found while wrestling through this question.  Some Scripture used in this episode: Habakkuk Philippians 3:8-11 Psalms 5:1-7, NLT Do you need prayer? Contact Jodi by clicking here. Or email Jodi at email@JodiAiken.com. Did you receive this by email from a friend and want to begin receiving updates from Jodi in your own inbox? Click here to subscribe You can listen to this podcast, Pennies In Your Path,  on many popular apps. Such as iTunes, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcast, Spotify, and many more.   

They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. ~ Psalm 112:7 (NLT) Do you want the good news first or the bad news? It's a question that we've all been asked before – or will be asked at some point. The question is intended to soften the blow of bad news. By giving the option of which news to hear first, the person being questioned takes the burden off of the person delivering the news. Therefore, it was their choice to hear the bad news. I know, it's convoluted (it's not easy to follow), but that's what we do. In fact, when I was a businessman, my company sent me to training on the proper way to deliver bad news. (No, I'm not making this up. There are actual seminars on it out there.) The instructor preferred what he liked to call “The Sandwich Method.” It sounds appetizing, doesn't it? Who doesn't like a good sandwich? Here's how it went. You give good news. Then give them the bad news. Then, for the finale, give them more good news. That way, the bad news is surrounded by good and isn't so bad. There you go. I just saved you $199. Why do we fear bad news so much? Mostly, I think, it's because of the negative impact the news will have on the future of our life. For example, getting fired from work is generally bad news. You will no longer get paid and be unable to pay your bills. There will be a negative impact. Additionally, future employers will call the boss who fired you for a reference. Odds are, you won't get a good one. Getting a good job in the future becomes more difficult. But, what if I told you that there is no such thing as “bad news.” There is only news. How can that be? Because Jesus conquered all of the bad and replaced it with His good. Yes, there will be difficulties and hurts in life. But, no matter the circumstances, we still have good news. In fact, the term “good news” is called “The Gospel” in the Bible. And the Gospel trumps everything. Satan wants to surround us with bad news. Jesus wants to remind us of His good news, His saving power at work in our lives. What bad news has Satan trapped you in? What guilt, shame, of difficulty is weighing you down? Ask God to show you His goodness. You will see it. You will know that His good conquers Satan's bad every single time.

Connection Through PrayerJust as Jesus prayed to His father, prayed for His disciples, and prayed for His enemies, we are to pray as He did. This is our connection point with each other and with our Heavenly Father.Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. - John 17:13-21 (NLT)When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. - Matthew 6:7 (NLT)“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” - Matthew 5:43-44 (NLT)Do you believe you belong to Jesus and not to this world? The prayers He prayed while here on Earth are as relevant to you as they were to His disciples. You have been created for greater things than this world can ever offer. Enter into connection with Christ through prayer today.Thank You!Becoming a PatronIf you are one of the many who have been blessed by Cultivate Connection, please consider becoming a monthly patron. Creating space for people to connect with God in this busy world is so vital.As a patron, you empower us to continue producing and developing tools for people to connect with God, discover identity, and awaken purpose for their lives. Learn more on our website at CultivateConnection.comWe Need You!Cultivate Connection is listened to in 129 countries and averages 2,000 listeners a week. Help us reach even more people by sharing this episode on Facebook, Instagram, via email, or whatever other way you prefer.Visit our Facebook page and share your thoughts or ask a question. We read every comment and love responding!Leave a review on iTunes or your favourite podcast app. Your ratings and reviews mean a lot and help this podcast get discovered by others.And lastly, subscribe to Cultivate Collection Weekly, our email providing you with resources and inspiration to help you grow your relationship with God.

All families know how to fight, but knowing how to fight fair is the difference between unity and division.1.Some things are worth fighting over.1 Corinthians 11:19 (ESV) for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.2.Go and talk it out.Matthew 18:15 (ESV)“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.3.Seek reconciliation over resolution.Matthew 5:23–24 (NLT) “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God4.Be led by grace always!Colossians 4:6 (ESV) Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.5.First, be a peacemaker.Romans 12:18 (NLT) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.6.Lead with Listening.James 1:19 (NLT) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.7.Be quick to apologize and quicker to forgive.Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.8.Stay in bounds.James 1:20 (NLT) Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.9.Live peaceably as much as you can.Romans 12:18 (NLT) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.10.Remember that you are not God.Genesis 50:19–20 (ESV) But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?11.Let God use the struggle for your spiritual formation.James 1:4 (NLT) So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Inside our theme of love this month, this week we have been talking about intimacy and how important it is to experience this dynamic with God, in relationships, and inside a community. Today, we will look at a different type of intimacy, in fact, the deepest intimacy possible. In Paul’s teaching to the church at Corinth, he tied an Old Testament reality to the new reality Jesus provided. The temple was once a physical structure where only designated priests could enter. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, along with the presence of the Holy Spirit, allows His to be brought into our own hearts through faith in Christ. Listen to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 … Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NLT) Do you see it? As followers of Christ, we literally become His temple. This brings an incredible new type of intimacy and closeness … God with us and God in us. We, of course, do not become God, but He now lives inside our lives. Let’s read this passage again in The Message Bible. Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body. As I have asked you a number of times on other days in Sound Mind Set, was there any line or phrase that stood you to you? What was it? … Why do you think it stood out to you? What might God be saying by highlighting that for you? For the believer, the crucial focus here is that our bodies no longer belong to us. The temple of God is no longer a building or a place only priests can visit. Christ’s death and resurrection, along with the introduction of the Holy Spirit, makes us His temple. Shouldn’t that bring an entirely new focus and meaning to our lives? What we choose to do and not do with His temple? Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, seeing myself as Your temple is a tough concept to grasp. But I didn’t say that about me, You did. So help me to believe it, accept it as truth, and live it out. I need to simply believe what You tell me, about me. As above, so below.”

"So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground." - Genesis 1:27-28 NLT “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin." - Leviticus 18:22 NLT “If a man practices homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman, both men have committed a detestable act. They must both be put to death, for they are guilty of a capital offense." Leviticus 20:13 NLT This podcast is hosted by Keiston France

Romans 7:23-24 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? -Starve Addiction Romans 6:12-14 (NLT) Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. 13 Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. 14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Romans 8:5 (NLT) Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. -Feed Prayer & Fasting DAILY PRAYER EMPHASIS: LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” — Matthew 24:12-14 (NIV) Pray for our small groups outreach and local ministry partners. Pray for churches across our nation. Pray that the unengaged and unreached people groups in Nepal and Uttar Pradesh, India will be reached.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV) The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. 2. My body belongs to God Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 3. My body was made to honor God Romans 6:13 (NLT) Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God. DAILY PRAYER EMPHASIS — THANK GOD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT) God demonstrates His love for you in all sorts of ways. This verse reminds us that when we pray, it is good to regularly come back to thanking God for His ultimate act of love. (John 3:16) Take this Sunday and dedicate your week to God. Thank God, for the gift of eternal life.

Job 10:1 (NLT) I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. My bitter soul must complain. Exodus 16:2-4 (NLT) 2 There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. 3 “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” 4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. Numbers 14:27–30 (NLT) 27 “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. 28 Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. 29 You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. 30 You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. Philippians 2:14–15 (NLT) Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NLT) Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

The Secret to a Productive Life I Timothy 5 - 6, Titus 1 - 3   Focus on others. Paul says, in Titus 3:14 Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive.   Ironically, the opposite is true.  If you want to have an unproductive life, unfruitful, then focus only on yourself.  Zig Ziglar says, You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want. In John 12:24 Jesus says: I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. A truly productive and fulfilling life comes when we take the focus of our lives off of ourselves, and plant ourselves in the service of others and God.  When we die to making this life about us - then we will have all that we want and could have ever have imagined, now and in the life to come.   For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mk 10:45 NLT) Do you want to have a productive life in 2018? Then focus on serving others.  Reflect on this past year and think about the upcoming year.  If you want to have a productive life than you’ll have to focus on others.  If you do that, than you can expect a fruitful year.  

This week we’ll be focusing on our purpose through the lens of living as a child of God. When we see Him as Father and ourselves as His children, then all of life—relationships, parenting, career, everything—filters and funnels through that relationship to create a higher purpose for all we are and all we do. Throughout this week, we’ll be reading from the life of Joseph, one of the most compelling and incredible stories in Scripture. Every time life dealt Joseph a tragic and challenging hand, God came through to redeem and restore Joseph’s life. Our prayer is that you would view yourself as a modern-day Joseph—that no matter what has or will happen, God will be at work on your behalf for your good. When Joseph was seventeen years old, he often tended his father’s flocks. He worked for his half brothers, the sons of his father’s wives Bilhah and Zilpah. But Joseph reported to his father some of the bad things his brothers were doing. Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. (Genesis 37:2-4 NLT) Now, fast-forward to Joseph being sent by his dad to check on his brothers who were working in the field … When Joseph arrived, his brothers ripped off the beautiful robe he was wearing. Then they grabbed him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it. Then, just as they were sitting down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of camels in the distance coming toward them. It was a group of Ishmaelite traders … Judah said to his brothers, “What will we gain by killing our brother? We’d have to cover up the crime. Instead of hurting him, let’s sell him to those Ishmaelite traders. After all, he is our brother—our own flesh and blood!” And his brothers agreed. So when the Ishmaelites, who were Midianite traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for twenty pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt. (Genesis 37:23-28 NLT) Do you have a memory in your own life that this story triggered for you? Something tragic? Betrayal? An injustice? While this story is painful to hear, the bottom line is we all understand family dysfunction that causes pain and creates scars that we have to deal with for a long time. But these events in our lives offer us a choice: will I let this define me or will I allow this to become a defining moment? Your relationship with God can bring purpose to create a greater, stronger you out of any circumstance. But for this to happen, the pain and the process has to be surrendered to God and then stay submitted to Him on the journey to wholeness and healing. Let’s pray: “Father, thank You for providing examples in Scripture that show me how to navigate the tragedies of life through You. Right now, I surrender my hurts, my pain, and my process of healing to You. Use it all—the good and bad—to bring me a greater sense of purpose about my life, as You lead me. As above, so below.”

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

TRAIN YOUR SOUL Today’s readings are Ezra 9 – 10, Psalm 131, and Luke 21.  We are reading from the New Living Translation. This is a training drill.  It’s not only a drill, but it is a drill.  The average bystander wouldn’t have noticed a thing, but Jesus did. An older woman, a widow, came to the temple and performed a drill that she had performed many many times before. She offered her two coins as an offering to God.  Jesus saw it and said, …she, poor as she is, has given everything she has. (Lk 21:4 NLT) This offering was a training exercise in offering everything to God in the Temple. This was an exercise in alertness.  She was training her heart to be alert.  And Jesus said to his disciples, as he says to us, Stay alert.  Train your heart.  Prepare your soul.  Offer all that you are to God. Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. (Lk21:34-35 NLT) Stay vigilant. Be like this widow and train your heart, by offering it, each day, to the Lord – all that you have for all that He gives.  At the end of this chapter, Luke tells us:  The crowds gathered at the Temple early each morning to hear him. (Lk 21:28 NLT) Do you want to stay vigilant? Do you want to train your heart in ways of faithfulness to God?  Then show up, like this faithful widow did.  This woman had learned to train her soul and offer all that she was to God.  And in so doing, she received all that Christ gives, each day.  And like the crowds that gathered around him at the Temple, each morning we can come to receive a new word from God and hear from him.   We can train our heart and soul, by offering all that we have and coming to him each morning to receive all that He is. If we follow this widow’s example, we too, will know the joy, grace, power and strength, that come by walking by faith.   Let’s do that together, my friends,.  Let’s show up again tomorrow and hear from him, offering all that we have and receiving all that he gives.

(Romans 6:12-14 NLT) Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Granting forgiveness, experiencing total freedom, and letting go for good is a mental, emotional, and spiritual experience. And yes, it can even be physical. Holding onto bitterness affects our ability to smile, facial expressions, countenance, and body language. When our hearts are closed, we look closed off. Giving ourselves completely to God, as Paul tells us here, is as much as about what we let go of as what we take up. To block forgiveness from someone is to allow sin to be our master us and keep us under the law, not under grace. And when we can’t give grace, we can’t embrace grace. If there is someone you struggle to let go of and forgive, think about how this makes you feel, even physically, how it affects your being in every manner? Refusing to let go creates more pain as we work harder to hold on. Listen once again to Paul’s commands: Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. (Romans 6:12-14 NLT) Forgiveness and letting go diminishes sin’s control, allowing us the freedom to give ourselves completely to God, to glorify Him, for Him to be our Master, not sin. To live under the freedom of God’s grace. Pray with me, using Paul’s words: “Dear Father, help me to not let sin control the way I live; to not give in to sinful desires, to not let any part of my body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Help me to give myself completely to You and experience new life, to use my whole body as an instrument to do what is right for Your glory. I do not want sin to be my master or live under the requirements of the law. Instead, let me live under the freedom of Your grace. As above, so below.”

Outline: https://bit.ly/3kQXMS2Subtitle: The Christian home – Keys to a happy Family lifeOur current focus is on "God in the Family", or "God-Empowered Families".The basic building block of any society or nation is the family unitIf the family unit is strong then the nation will be strongIf the family unit is broken down, the nation will be broken down alsoThe seeds of family breakdown are many times sown in people's lives during their childhood, through:Observing & adopting dysfunctional family dynamicsLack of proper child training & wrong child trainingJesus came to bring Grace & Truth to Individuals and to FamiliesJohn 1:14,17 (NKJV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father , full of grace and truth. 17 __For the law was given through Moses, but _ grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. _The Bible is divided into two major parts or time periods.The Old Testament (O.T.)The New Testament (N.T.)A broad summary of the main theme of each of these two periods:O.T. – The Law (an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth)N.T. – Grace and truth (loving forgiveness)John 1:14,17 (LB) And _ Christ _ became a human being and lived here on earth among us and _ was full of loving forgiveness and truth . … 17 _For Moses gave us only _ the Law with its rigid demands and merciless justice, _ while _ Jesus Christ brought us loving forgiveness as well. _If we claim "Christian home status" for our homes, we have to be like Christ who was full of grace & loving forgiveness and truthAny home that is operated on the basis of loving forgiveness and truth will be a happy homeAny home that is operated on the basis of "the Law with its rigid demands and merciless justice" will be an unhappy homeColossians 1:27 (NET) God wanted to make known to them the glorious riches of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is _ Christ in you _, the hope of glory.Once we are born again, Christ is in us, and we have the grace and ability to operate like Christ did, with loving forgiveness.Matthew 5:38–39 (NKJV) You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' _ 39 _ But I tell you _ _not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.The message here is: Do not retaliate!Retaliation is based on a "merciless justice" premise and belongs to the pre-Christ eraIn the N.T., the emphasis has moved from judging others to judging ourselvesLuke 6:37 (NLT)_ Do not judge others , and you will not be judged._ _ Do not condemn others , or it will all come back against you . Forgive others , and you will be forgiven._1 Corinthians 11:31 (NKJV)For if we would _ judge ourselves _, we would not be judged.Colossians 4:6 (NKJV) _ Let your speech always be with grace _, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.Do not operate out of resentment, rejection or unforgiveness.The Biblical FamilyOur aim as Christian families is not to be "modern families", but "biblical families".Sometimes people think that any version or any variation of family philosophy will do … but in reality, only Bible Methods can produce Bible Results.To claim "Biblical Family Status" for our families, we need to build and pattern our families after the truth of God's Word.Jesus came to bring not only grace, but also truth (John 1:17)Grace along will not produce a biblical familyWe need both "Grace" and "Truth" to build a Biblical FamilyThe Biblical HusbandEphesians 5:25 (NKJV)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.Colossians 3:19 (NLT)Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.The biblical husband is a praying manHe lives by the Word of God and models a godly lifestyle to his familyHe is a servant leader who lays down his life for his wife & his familyHe honours his wife as a co-heir of the grace of life so that His prayers aren't hinderedHe seeks God's will for his life and for his familyHe fosters the presence of God in his home1 Chronicles 13:14 (NET) The ark of God remained in Obed-Edom's house for three months; _ the Lord blessed Obed-Edom's family and everything that belonged to him. _The ark of God primarily represents the presence of God. Specifically, it contained:Two tablets with the 10 Commandments (the Word of God) Deut.10:2A pot of manna (supernatural sustenance ) Deut. 8:3Aaron's rod that budded (confirming Aarons priesthood & leadership)The Biblical WifeEphesians 5:22–24 (NKJV)Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. _ 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body._ _ 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything._The sequence of submission to God & His ordained authority is as follows:Christ submits to Father God (1 Corinthians 15:24,28)The church submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:24)The husband submits to Christ (Ephesians 5:25)The wife submits to her husband & to Christ (Ephesians 5:22–24)The children submit to their father and mother (Colossians 3:20)The more the whole family is submitted to God and His ordained authority structure, the happier and fulfilled each member of the family will be.Biblical ChildrenColossians 3:20 (NKJV)Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.God sets the Solitary in FamiliesOutline: https://bit.ly/3kQXMS2Psalm 68:6 (NKJV)_ God sets the solitary in families ; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity …_Many people are quite solitary (alone) as far as their natural family is concerned.In that case, their church family becomes more than just a spiritual family – the church becomes like an adopted family to them so they can experience the blessing of having fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters etc.Mark 10:29–30 (NKJV)So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, _ 30 _ who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children _ _and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.

NAETURE GANG, What is up What is Up What is up! Hope you all are having a fantastic Sunday and have an even better week! Listen y’all, I am on a mission to living an abundant life and with that comes with a whole like of sacrifice. On this Journey allow God to transform your way of thinking, the way you see fun, the way you see other, your motivation behind your dreams and goals! Lets be lead by the spirit and see how God can make our crooked paths straight. - - - Social Media Handles: IG - @Genaeb_ & @inthewildernesspodcast Holy Bible App - Genae B - - SCRIPTURE USED: “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 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. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:16-22‬ ‭NLT‬‬ “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Two Keys to Encounter God's Power:Impossible PrayersJoshua 10:8 (NLT) – “Do not be afraid of them, for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.”Joshua 10:12-13 (NLT) – “On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, ‘Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.' So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day.”Joshua 10:14 (NLT) – “There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!”Ruth Haley Barton: “What is the use of praying if at the very moment of prayer, we have so little confidence in God that we are busy planning our own kind of answer to our prayer.”[i]2. Irrational Faith**Mark 5:25-26 (NLT) – A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.Mark 5:27-28 (NLT) – She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”Mark 5:29-32 (NLT) – Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. 30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” 31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?'” 32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.Mark 5:33-34 (NLT) – Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, YOUR FAITH has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”Tim Keller: “There is nothing illogical about miracles if a Creator God exists. If a God exists who is big enough to create the universe in all its complexity and vastness, why should a mere miracle be such a mental stretch.”

MAY 19,  HIS LOVE KEEPS US STRONG Our reading today are I Kings 4-5,  II Chronicles 2,  Psalm 101, and II Thessalonians 3.  We are reading from the New Living Translation. Love leads to service and generosity.  When we fail to experience the love of God we grow despondent, we become idle, we do not serve,  and we are not generous.  Working, serving, and giving become hard to do.  We want to take what we can get rather than give what we have gotten.  We can't give what we don't have. That is why we must experience God's love if we are to show love.  We must be filled and grow in our understanding and expression of his love if we are to give that love to others.  So Paul prays for us.   May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.  (II Thess 3:5 NLT) Do you know that you are loved?  Sometimes it's hard to remember that you are.  It takes patient endurance to hold firmly, to that truth.   But God's love is exactly what emerges from the Gospel when we look at Jesus and see what he has done for us.  Each day we need to open up our hearts to the Spirit's working in our lives. We come to His Word, day after day, to be reminded of who he is, what he's done, and what he gives us.  Through His presence in us, we begin to be led into a full understanding and expression of the love of God.  We learn to patiently endure when it seems like the heavens are silent.  We know that this walk with Christ is a long obedience in the same direction.  He is with us and we can grow and experience His love.  Out of this will come a life of service, generosity, joyfulness and hope.   Let God grow you into a  fuller understanding of His love.  Let your roots grow down into God's love and keep you strong.  

Making sense of suffering. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NLT) 24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadow-boxing. 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. 1 Timothy 4:7-10 (NLT) “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.” Discipline is the path of every disciple. www.CrossroadsGo.org/links

If you want to quit fear, you either have to change your OUTER world or your INNER world. 1. Don’t wait until you’ve RESOLVED all your ISSUES. 2. Don’t wait until you FEEL CONFIDENT. God loves using people who AREN’T READY. 3. Don’t act on FEELINGS but lean into FAITH. Message Notes: https://www.bible.com/events/7048789 Isaiah 43:5 NLT “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.I will gather you and your children from east and west. To get to know us more, be sure to check out our website: http://www.coastalcommunity.tv Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our channel for weekly video messages that will change your life!

Deuteronomy 5:15 (NLT) - Do nor forget that He led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock.   Sometimes, when you have been in a place of slavery for an extended amount of time, a vast and open place of new freedom is totally scary and overwhelming, even when that vast place is a dry desert.   There ought to be a part of us that misses (yes, misses!) the desert trek...here's why - When we are in places that are too big for us (verse 15 calls this a great wilderness...that's a "too big for me" kind of place) those are the places that keep us right at our Father's side, sticking to Him like glue, refusing to let go of His hand.   Looking back, when I do a side-by-side comparision of a big, scary desert place to a season of prosperity and ease, in one of those I was not willing to step away from my ABBA Father's side...and in the other, well, I was more prone to step away.   I have found that any situation that draws me closer to Jesus - that's my favorite. Even if it's so very hard it's still my favorite.   I need to pay careful attention in my seasons of plenty so that I do not forget the Lord.   Lastly, one final point ---      Whenever we find ourselves standing on the banks of a Jordan River, looking right at our next place of promise & favor & blessing, that season of prosperity & peace that has been so longed for and prayed about --- when we find ourselves standing there looking forward, may we not forget to take a glance back over our shoulders and remember the vase and wild "too big place" we're coming out of.      Let us be careful not to forget our God in our promises land...and may we ask the Lord to bless us each with a heart that cannot forget Him.

ZECHARIAH 6-7: There were so many correspondences to Revelation in the three chapters we read yesterday in Zechariah that I cannot even take time to list them. I single out this one from chapter 3 as especially interesting: Zec. 3:8 NLT “Listen to me, O [Joshua//Jeshua] the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. 9 Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day. Joshua was called the ‘Branch’, or ‘Rod’, or ‘Shoot’— and in this age we can clearly see that both he and Zerubbabel are pictures of the Messiah. The Branch is also referred to in Jeremiah and Isaiah. Secondly, it is interesting that the stone has seven ‘facets’. The word for facets in Hebrew is literally ‘eyes’. And the Lamb in revelation has seven eyes. This insight given to Zerubbabel in chapter 4 is a principle for all of us to lay hold of: Zec. 4:6 NLT It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. This is one of Gale’s favorite verses. We have claimed this repeatedly in our lives: Zec. 4:10 NLT Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…” ISAIAH 61: Yesterday in chapter 60, we heard many wonderful promises about the New Jerusalem— especially verses 1-3 and 19-21. REVELATION 15: Note that in chapter 14 the victory over Babylon is proclaimed as already won. God’s holy people are again warned against receiving the mark of the beast. At the end of the chapter are the two harvests, the wheat harvest of the righteous, and the grape harvest of those who will enter into eternal punishment. These are visions that give an overview, in a similar vein as the vision in chapter 12.

ZECHARIAH 6-7:There were so many correspondences to Revelation in the three chapters we read yesterday in Zechariah that I cannot even take time to list them. I single out this one from chapter 3 as especially interesting: Zec. 3:8 NLT “Listen to me, O [Joshua//Jeshua] the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. 9 Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day. Joshua was called the ‘Branch’, or ‘Rod’, or ‘Shoot’— and in this age we can clearly see that both he and Zerubbabel are pictures of the Messiah. The Branch is also referred to in Jeremiah and Isaiah. Secondly, it is interesting that the stone has seven ‘facets’. The word for facets in Hebrew is literally ‘eyes’. And the Lamb in revelation has seven eyes. This insight given to Zerubbabel in chapter 4 is a principle for all of us to lay hold of: Zec. 4:6 NLT It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. This is one of Gale’s favorite verses. We have claimed this repeatedly in our lives: Zec. 4:10 NLT Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…” ISAIAH 61:Yesterday in chapter 60, we heard many wonderful promises about the New Jerusalem— especially verses 1-3 and 19-21. REVELATION 15:Note that in chapter 14 the victory over Babylon is proclaimed as already won. God’s holy people are again warned against receiving the mark of the beast. At the end of the chapter are the two harvests, the wheat harvest of the righteous, and the grape harvest of those who will enter into eternal punishment. These are visions that give an overview, in a similar vein as the vision in chapter 12.

JOEL 1:I feel the need to comment about chapter 9 of Esther and how the Jews “got rid” of their enemies. Remember that those Jews were not Christians. (I know how silly that sounds, but it is actually a common supposition among naive Christians.) The revelation of God’s will did not come all at once, and the Jews did not have the pleasure of knowing what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount or other pertinent NT passages. They most certainly did NOT ‘get rid’ of their enemies, except in the short run. All the relatives of the enemies slain raised up succeeding generations of people who hated the Jews even more fiercely than the first enemies did. We Christians must read Esther 9 remembering how the Jews had been slaughtered and then taken away from their land by force put into slavery in Babylonia. It is just amazing to me how the cycle of ‘getting rid of enemies’ has continued, right up to Hitler (the modern Haman), and right up to the conflicts in the middle east today. The cycle will stop and real peace will only happen when the True King returns. Joel is the second book of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. We read the first one— Hosea, about two months ago. From now until the end of the year, we will start every day with a reading in the minor prophets. Joel’s name means “Yahweh is God.” It is quite possible that Joel is one of the earliest of the prophets. He is called the ‘prophet of Pentecost’, since Peter quoted from Joel in his speech in Acts 2. The occasion of Joel’s message was a devastating plague of locusts which foreshadows the ‘Day of the Lord’— a time not for comfort for God’s people, but for punishment because of their sins. ISAIAH 44a:According to the NLT, in Is. 43:14 God said, 43:14 NLT “For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon,forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of.” This is a very difficult verse to translate, and GNT’s translation can also be defended: 43:14 GNT Israel's holy God, the Lord who saves you, says,“To save you, I will send an army against Babylon;I will break down the city gates,and the shouts of her people will turn into crying. God said that the people of Israel had become tired of God and tired of bringing sacrifices. God will do something new: 43:25 NLT “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sakeand will never think of them again. These frequently quoted words are from the beginning of the chapter: 43:1b NLT “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.I have called you by name; you are mine.2 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. 2TIMOTHY 2:What was the spiritual gift that Timothy received when Paul placed his hands on him? Paul wanted Timothy to fan that gift into flame. (2Tim. 1:6) Is there a clue to what the gift was in the next verse?— 2Tim. 1:7 NLT “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Paul says, 2Tim. 1:12 “I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.” What has Paul entrusted to the Lord? Is it a clue when Paul says, 2Tim. 1:14 “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.” GNT Translation notes:2Tim. 2:21 Those who make themselves clean from all [the evil taught by false teachers//those evil things], will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed.22 [Run away to escape from//Avoid] the passions of youth[.//, and] Strive for righteousness, [full belief//faith], love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help.26 And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who [0//had] caught them and made them obey his will.

JOEL 1:I feel the need to comment about chapter 9 of Esther and how the Jews “got rid” of their enemies. Remember that those Jews were not Christians. (I know how silly that sounds, but it is actually a common supposition among naive Christians.) The revelation of God’s will did not come all at once, and the Jews did not have the pleasure of knowing what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount or other pertinent NT passages. They most certainly did NOT ‘get rid’ of their enemies, except in the short run. All the relatives of the enemies slain raised up succeeding generations of people who hated the Jews even more fiercely than the first enemies did. We Christians must read Esther 9 remembering how the Jews had been slaughtered and then taken away from their land by force put into slavery in Babylonia. It is just amazing to me how the cycle of ‘getting rid of enemies’ has continued, right up to Hitler (the modern Haman), and right up to the conflicts in the middle east today. The cycle will stop and real peace will only happen when the True King returns. Joel is the second book of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. We read the first one— Hosea, about two months ago. From now until the end of the year, we will start every day with a reading in the minor prophets. Joel’s name means “Yahweh is God.” It is quite possible that Joel is one of the earliest of the prophets. He is called the ‘prophet of Pentecost’, since Peter quoted from Joel in his speech in Acts 2. The occasion of Joel’s message was a devastating plague of locusts which foreshadows the ‘Day of the Lord’— a time not for comfort for God’s people, but for punishment because of their sins. ISAIAH 44a: According to the NLT, in Is. 43:14 God said, 14 “For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon, forcing the Babylonians to flee in those ships they are so proud of.” This is a very difficult verse to translate, and GNT’s translation can also be defended: 43:14 Israel's holy God, the Lord who saves you, says, “To save you, I will send an army against Babylon; I will break down the city gates, and the shouts of her people will turn into crying. God said that the people of Israel had become tired of God and tired of bringing sacrifices. God will do something new: 43:25 NLT “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. These frequently quoted words are from the beginning of the chapter: 43:1b NLT “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 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. 2TIMOTHY 2:What was the spiritual gift that Timothy received when Paul placed his hands on him? Paul wanted Timothy to fan that gift into flame. (2Tim. 1:6) Is there a clue to what the gift was in the next verse?— 2Tim. 1:7 NLT “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Paul says, 2Tim. 1:12 “I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.” What has Paul entrusted to the Lord? Is it a clue when Paul says, 2Tim. 1:14 “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.” GNT Translation notes: 2Tim. 2:21 Those who make themselves clean from all [the evil taught by false teachers//those evil things], will be used for special purposes, because they are dedicated and useful to their Master, ready to be used for every good deed. 22 [Run away to escape from//Avoid] the passions of youth[.//, and] Strive for righteousness, [full belief//faith], love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help. 26 And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who [0//had] caught them and made them obey his will.

ZECHARIAH 6-7:There were so many correspondences to Revelation in the three chapters we read yesterday in Zechariah that I cannot even take time to list them. I single out this one from chapter 3 as especially interesting: Zec. 3:8 NLT “Listen to me, O [Joshua//Jeshua] the high priest, and all you other priests. You are symbols of things to come. Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch. 9 Now look at the jewel I have set before Jeshua, a single stone with seven facets. I will engrave an inscription on it, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and I will remove the sins of this land in a single day. Joshua was called the ‘Branch’, or ‘Rod’, or ‘Shoot’— and in this age we can clearly see that both he and Zerubbabel are pictures of the Messiah. The Branch is also referred to in Jeremiah and Isaiah. Secondly, it is interesting that the stone has seven ‘facets’. The word for facets in Hebrew is literally ‘eyes’. And the Lamb in revelation has seven eyes. This insight given to Zerubbabel in chapter 4 is a principle for all of us to lay hold of: Zec. 4:6 NLT It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. This is one of Gale’s favorite verses. We have claimed this repeatedly in our lives: Zec. 4:10 NLT Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…” ISAIAH 61:Yesterday in chapter 60, we heard many wonderful promises about the New Jerusalem— especially verses 1-3 and 19-21. REVELATION 15:Note that in chapter 14 the victory over Babylon is proclaimed as already won. God’s holy people are again warned against receiving the mark of the beast. At the end of the chapter are the two harvests, the wheat harvest of the righteous, and the grape harvest of those who will enter into eternal punishment. These are visions that give an overview, in a similar vein as the vision in chapter 12.

I’m Paula Whidden. I’ve ministered to teens and kids for 30 years, and now I’m helping moms to raise their kids with a Biblical foundation. This podcast is meant to help moms find a place to connect with one another and realize that you aren’t alone. As you listen to the podcast, would you please rate and review it on whatever venue you hear. This is incredibly helpful because when people are searching they scan those reviews to see if this will be valuable to them. I read every one of them.       One review said, “Paula is a smart, entertaining woman who bridges the gap between so many with her open, loving way she approaches important topics. We need more             people like her in this world."   Right now, I’m sitting in my home office as the breeze is blowing outside my Southern California home. I’m drinking some mint tea, which is one of my favorites. And, I’m excited to spend this time with you.   During this time of year, I’ve noticed that people get so tense and I find myself getting tense right alongside them. I’m not sure if it’s because there is less light or if it’s because we have such high expectations for ourselves and others at this season. For some reason when it’s darker longer, I notice that the space around me feels tighter, especially when I’m in the Walmart parking lot.    When I mention loving my neighbor to people I know, they often talk about my next door neighbors. Is that where your imagination went? And in today’s world, we are all so busy on so many varying schedules that it’s tough to get to know your neighbor. If I'm very genuine, I’ve reached out and said “hi,” to my neighbors. I know most of their names unless they aren’t forthcoming. I try to be nice, but we don’t hang out and visit regularly. That’s not who my neighbors are.    So, then what are we talking about here. If I’m not trying to teach you how to build a friendship in the neighborhood, then what can I possibly bring to the table on the topic of loving your neighbor? What Does Kindness Look Like In the Bible? I think we’ve really limited the view of who our neighbors are.   We know it’s important to love our neighbors because Jesus told us in Matthew 22. When He was asked what the greatest commandment was, He responded, “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. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” What Jesus is saying here, all those “rules” that people think about when they think about God are summed up in these two things: loving God and loving others. That’s the main point of all those rules. I know you're probably thinking, that’s great Paula, I’ve heard this stuff before, but how do I teach it to my kids? Stick with me mommas, this will connect.  In Luke 10, Jesus told the story of a man who was traveling and got attacked. That man was left to die, and a few people crossed his path without even really looking at him. Then, one man who shouldn’t have cared one way or the other noticed him. This is the part of the story most people forget. The man who saw him wasn’t from his community. He wasn’t part of the “IN” crowd. Actually, he was a bit of an outcast. He was called a Samaritan. Today we have “Good Samaritan” laws based on this story. But the man who was beaten was a Jew, and the helper was a Samaritan, and they were not friends. If they had met in another situation, they would have probably glared at one another. They would have probably avoided one another. Imagine different extreme groups like the Hatfields and the Macoys, the Crips and the Bloods, or the conservative Republican and the LGBTQ Democrat.  That’s what these two people were to each other.  And yet, in this situation at this time, the Samaritan didn’t see “a Jew” he saw a human in need. So, he helped and fed and made sure he was cared for. He even went above and beyond on kindness.  When Jesus finished this story, He told the people listening to, “Go and do the same.” That’s a convicting story from the Bible. It challenges us to rethink who are neighbors are.  If you haven’t read the whole thing before, here's a LINK to it.    Who Is My Neighbor?  Whoever...     - the skater     - the conservative     - the liberal     - the President     - the garbage guy     - the Pastor     - the tattoo artist     - the pole dancer      Matthew 5:46 (NLT) If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. Our challenge is to really do it even if they don’t love you back. Mommas, our kids are watching us. They want to know if we will do it. Because if we do it, then it might be important.  I would love to say that I’m always great at this, but I have struggled. Especially when I’m behind the wheel of my car. I’m seriously tempted to say something harsh about the person who cut me off on the road or took the parking place I waited 5 minutes to claim. 5 whole minutes.  What is Love? But I’ve been asking God to help me with this. As a reminder to myself, for a long time, I’ve had words on my kitchen wall that quoted 1 Corinthian 13. My wall said, “Love is patient, love is kind.” I put those words on my wall as a reminder to myself because often I found myself yelling down my hallway at my kids.  Do you do that?  The wall I placed those words on was the one I looked at as I yelled down the hallway. So, I was forcing myself to think before I screamed. I’m apparently a slow learner because there were many times I yelled and then noticed the words. But eventually, I started seeking God’s guidance on how I could be firm yet kind with my kids.  I really noticed the changes that were happening in me when  I was in a store parking lot recently, and I positioned our minivan to pull out onto the main road. A pale blue, large Ford truck drove around me and pulled out onto the road just as I was pulling out. I took a breath and out of my mouth came, “Thank you VERY MUCH. You LOVELY LADY.”  At that moment, I was completely unaware that my daughter was sitting in the car. This is what naturally came out of my mouth. I probably wouldn’t have thought more about it, except she kept telling people about it.  “You should have seen my mom,” she kept saying. “She was so upset she called that woman a LOVELY LADY.”   I was just grateful that God had helped me to keep my temper and not verbally vomit on my kid. I’m not above that. This was God helping me to actually be kinder than I would be on my own.  As we’re seeking to love our neighbors, knowing what love really is matters. I know you’re probably rolling your eyes and thinking. Paula, I know what love is. And maybe you do. But I didn’t. That’s why I adore 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 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. It Will Be Awkward As we train our children, they will encounter mean people or people who are different from them, people who make them uncomfortable.  We are still directed by the Bible to love them.  Several years ago, when I was single, I was invited to go to a Halloween event that I had never even heard of. It was a Halloween parade in West Hollywood, which is lovingly called WeHo out here. The friends who invited me were not Christian, but they weren’t wacko or mean. They wanted to have some fun and asked me along. I had a feeling it would be a different kind of event, but I had no idea what it would be like. A very vocal Christian neighbor of my friends informed me that I wouldn’t be Christian if I went to this event. So, I found myself praying and asking God if I should go. I was pretty clear that God wanted me to go, but I couldn’t begin to tell you why. 5 of us hopped into a car and headed to the parade. When I got there, I discovered it was a parade of crossdressers, transgendered men and women, and a bunch of other people. I saw people dressed up for Halloween as baby Jesus, the crucified Jesus, and a squad of men who were dressed and acting as cheerleaders. Needless to say, this is not the regular group I hung out with.  As I walked down Santa Monica Boulevard, it felt as if God was saying. “Now, pray.” It seemed as if I was supposed to be there the pray for the people I saw and to remember that Jesus loves them too.  This image and these people have stuck with me many years later.  Being loving can be awkward. It can feel uncomfortable to be kind when someone is outside of your natural community. But that’s precisely the challenge.  Teach By Example As we teach our kids to be kind, it’s easy to explain them to be kind to the kid they have a bunch in common with. It’s easy to help them to be patient with people who hang out with them regularly. But the challenging and real stuff is when we seek to be kind and patient and not proud or rude or boastful to people who don’t like us, who aren’t kind back.    Keep Trying When you are genuinely loving - aka patient, kind, etc., some people will have a problem with it. People who want anger to be everywhere or are used to having anger everywhere will have a problem with it. That’s okay, be loving anyway. Mother Teresa was a fantastic example of loving your neighbor. She moved to a country very different from her own. At a time when people were dying from famine and disease in a community that ignored them because it must be their lot in life, Mother Teresa started a home for the dead and dying. She expanded that to creating a children’s home. She built up a large community of people who served alongside her in very uncomfortable situations where there was no obvious reward to be received.  This poem is written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:               People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.             If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.             If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.            If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.             What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.             If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.             The good you do today will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.          Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.          In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.   Our babies are watching. They will learn what we do much faster and more than what we say. If we tell them to be kind and respect others and yet they witness our lack of kindness, they are still being taught. They are sponges.  You won’t always succeed, so be willing to apologize and learn. Then, try again. This applies to how you treat your spouse, especially those of you who have been divorced or still connect with your babies daddy who was never your spouse.  This applies to how you treat in-laws. Romans 12:18 (NLT) Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. As we train our child, we can make it our mantra to remind them to treat others the way you want to be treated which is one way of saying:  Luke 6:31(NLT)  Do to others as you would like them to do to you.   This is a regularly used expression in our home. When my girls fight, as we talk it out and seek to understand one another I often find my self-reminding them to treat each other the way you want to be treated. This doesn’t mean we treat people how we have been treated or how they want to treat us, but how we would want them to treat us.    Go And Do The Same Mommas, we need to do the same to one another, to people we see on T.V., to people we hear about on the radio or podcasts. We are role models, like it or not. They are watching and learning from us all the time.  I want to be clear, this doesn’t mean that we allow people to harm us or abuse us in the name of being loving to them. A drowning person is entitled to want to get out of the water, so please, if this is your situation, get out of the water. Once you are in a safe place, the next step is seeking how to be wise and how to be loving (to the best of your ability).  If you’ve made it this far, then you must have liked or been challenged by what you heard. Would you consider giving a donation to this podcast to help us keep this little boat afloat as long as possible to help as many moms as possible?  Paypal.me/BibleMomming If you know other moms who would be blessed by this, pass it on and share it with them.   

Would you like your marriage to have a healthy purpose? Obi & Peju shared openly, vulnerably and passionately about three signs of a healthy marriage. “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” (Proverbs 29:18 NIV11) “If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.” (Proverbs 29:18 MESSAGE) “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” (Proverbs 29:17–18 NLT) Do we have a vision for our marriage? Three aspects to vision…. Fighting on purpose Revisit arguments Push past pain of past - from earlier life as well as present tension Understand triggers Vision for peace at the end of the review process Safe people helpful to involve in the process Loving on purpose “Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant.” (Genesis 4:1 NLT) “Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.” (Proverbs 5:18–19 NLT) “The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7:3–5 NLT) “Our” needs, not "mine" Find a way to talk about sex Don’t use intimacy as a weapon Use intimacy as a powerful connector Pray the scripture promises into your marriage Serving on purpose How can we serve together? Value what the other brings. How can we be a team? “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:26–27 NLT) “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NLT-SE) “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT-SE) Committed to something beyond us Questions Think through your marriage vision. What’s next? Where are you going? How do we want to fight, love and serve?   Come back for the next class soon.   Bracknell, Bracknell Leisure Centre, churches close to me, Churches of Christ, Frimley, High Wycombe, ICCM, ICOC, International church, Lower Earley, Malcolm Cox, Mark Abril, marriage, Obi Abuchi, Oxford, Peju Abuchi, Rachel Abril, Reading, Reading University, Shevvy Dannatt, Southampton, Sunday School, Thames Valley, Thames Valley church of Christ, Thames Valley churches of Christ, Thames Valley location, Tim Dannatt, tvcoc, Winchester, marriage

1 Samuel 8:7 NLT “Do everything they say to you,” the Lord replied, “for they are rejecting me, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. There is power in the words we use. Words are the means by which God created the world: ‘God said…’ They are also the means we use to communicate ideas and feelings. With words we construct our understanding of ourselves, others and the world we inhabit. Words lay the foundations for realities we have to live with. My mum is a great example of this. She tends to make her mind up quickly and independent of any external advice, but unintended consequences become apparent over time. This is why seeking the counsel and wisdom of others is a good thing. Also, waiting on critical decisions is useful. In my younger days I was much like my mum, and life was more chaotic than it needed to be. Here Israel looks for a simple answer to a complex problem. The problem – discerning God’s will in daily living. This is something I have struggled with over the years, initially suffering the fear of stepping out of God’s will, through to a complete confusion as to what God’s will is. Life happens to me, and is this a consequence of failing to live within God’s will? Or is it the reality of God inviting me to discover more of the kingdom though life experience, trusting that whatever the scale of the challenge, I will find my way and God’s way? Imagining there is a simple answer to the way and will of God is foolish. The elders’ insistence, while looking a lot like assured leadership, was actually a rejection of God. Certainty is an illusion we cherish in a world that seeks to manage risk. We should not be surprised if God acts like the least risk averse person we will ever encounter. QUESTION: Has life thrown you a curved ball lately? NOVENA PRAYER: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may my heart desire your kingdom above my own, your will not my will, and your purpose in all things. Give me eyes to discern your kingdom way, and hands that work in collaboration with your Holy Spirit to build that kingdom here on the earth. I entrust myself to you once more this day.    

Isaiah 9:6 “For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us.” (NLT) Luke 2:10-11 “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 the town of Bethlehem, the city of David!” (NLT) John 3:16 “For God so loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (NLT) Do you realize that we are celebrating the anniversary of Jesus’ birth with heaven today? I wonder what Christmas in heaven is like? This morning we celebrate waking up to the greatest gift ever given. A Savior! God brought His Son into the world in a very unlikely way. Shepherds have come and confirm that the Messiah has arrived. God continues to confirm who Jesus is shortly following His birth. Luke 2:21-38 So let this sink in just a bit. You just had the Messiah, in a manger of all places Shepherd come and visit and tell you angels told us where we could find the Christ. You go to the Temple 8 days later and 2 random people, that walk with God so closely, come up to you and praise your Son for who He is. Talk about a whirlwind experience! Shortly after this the Wise Men are going to pay a visit and offer some gifts that would are typically given to rulers. They were a tribute to a King. Yet, another confirmation of who Jesus really was, the King of King and Lord of Lords. Today we celebrate the birth of our King of King and Lord of Lords. What gifts are we presenting Him with? All He wants for His birthday is our hearts! Spend some time today as you enjoy Christmas traditions and festivities and dedicate some time one on one with your Lord. Amen? Amen.

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) The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.  Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-25 (NIV) Peace = a consistent calm unaffected by personal rage and situational chaos Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV) Peace has nothing to do with your OUTWARD CIRCUMSTANCES, but it has everything to with your INWARD CONDITION. Message title: “Pathway to Peace” Peace with GOD 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) Peace with OURSELVES So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus… Romans 8:6 (NLT) So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6 (NLT) If your past keeps resurfacing, you can rest assured that it's not God bringing it up. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Peace with PEOPLE Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV)  Too often we judge other based off their actions, but judge ourselves based off our intentions.  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18 (NLT) Change our approach to EVERYDAY LIFE Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.  They must turn from evil and do good… 1 Peter 3:10-11 (NIV) …they must seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:10-11 (NIV) Peace is not a feeling based on external conditions… but an internal condition that will produce a feeling you can trust. Come to grips with UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15 (NLT) Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)  Confront the CHAOS  Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God. Matthew 5:9 (NIV)  Jesus didn't call us to be PEACEKEEPERS but PEACEMAKERS.  Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.  A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Mark 4:36-41 (NIV)  Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?” Mark 4:36-41 (NIV) He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:36-41 (NIV)  He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:36-41 (NIV)  They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:36-41 (NIV) If you need peace in your life… stop looking at the chaos AROUND you and start speaking to the storm WITHIN you. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

Matthew 7:1-2 (NLT) Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. 2 For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged.

Message Title:  “Holiness”  So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NLT) But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.  For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 (NLT) What is the BATHWATER of Holiness? Incorrect Information Holy = Set apart for God's purpose Holiness is NOT perfection.  Holiness is the continued pursuit of God's standard. Religious Pride “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! Matthew 23:27 (NLT) For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people's bones and all sorts of impurity.” Matthew 23:27 (NLT) Before Holiness can be a public thing… it has to be a private thing.  Shame of Failure Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Romans 3:20-25 (NIV) But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known... Romans 3:20-25 (NIV) This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:20-25 (NIV) …and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:20-25 (NIV) “Shockingly our righteousness has nothing to do with our behavior.  God scandalously applies righteousness to our sin-drenched souls out of pure generosity.” – Peter Haas (Pharisectomoy) Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?  Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?  Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?  For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. Romans 6:1-14 (NLT) And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives… So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:1-14 (NLT) Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  Romans 6:1-14 (NLT) So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Romans 6:1-14 (NLT) It's possible. Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 2 Timothy 2:20-22 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-22 (ESV) Your holiness does not determine His love for you, but how He will use you. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:20-22 (ESV) You can only climb as high as you have people who are committed to your climb.  It's a choice So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 20:7 (NLT) Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake. Romans 1:5 (NIV) It's costly. “But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?  Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him?” Luke 14:28-33 (NLT)  “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” Luke 14:28-33 (NLT)  God cares more about my CHARACTER, than my COMFORT.   ...God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) Whatever our holiness costs us… it cost Jesus so much more.

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

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) Message Title:  “Just Get the 1st Down” Our success is never the result of ONE big decision, but MANY small key decisions over time. I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. Philippians 3:12 (NLT) No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…Philippians 3:13 (NLT) I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:14 (NLT) After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.  I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you… Joshua 1:1-3 (NLT) Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.  Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with it's king and it's fighting men. Joshua 6:1-2 (NIV) March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.  Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. Joshua 6:3-4 (NIV) When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua 6:5 (NIV) When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city. Joshua 6:20 (NIV) 5 Key 1st Downs in life Character Over Comfort “An underdog… posses the ability to get knocked down 9 times but get up 10 times AND uses major setback as fuel for major comebacks. “ “If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere.” Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4 (NIV) The tendency is to RUN from the pain… we have to learn to LEAN INTO the pain and discover what it can teach us. Being Teachable Teachability:  Being able to relearn that which you think you already know. The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Proverbs 12:15 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 (NIV) in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Proverbs 3:6-7 (NIV) Margin …let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) Marginisthespacebetweenthestuffthatmakesthestuffworthwhile. Margin is the space between the stuff that makes the stuff worth while. As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.  Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord's feet, listening to what he taught. Luke 10:38-39 (NLT) But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” Luke 10:40 (NLT) But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!  There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NLT) He says, “Be still, and know that I am God...” Psalm 46:10 (NIV) Love everyone, but move with the movers After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let's go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. Acts 15:36-37 (NLT) But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Acts 15:38 (NLT) Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.  Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord's gracious care. Acts 15:39-40 (NLT) If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. Titus 3:10 (NLT) Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NLT) “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:16-18 (NLT) “When you are transitioning to a new season of life, the people and situations that no longer fit you will fall away.  Don't fight the process.” Not letting fear hold you back Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Joshua 1:7 (NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 (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.” Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

celestebarnard.com In this episode I talk about the things that hold us back from our dreams. We’ve all been given different gifts, talents, and abilities. And God will place dreams in our heart, but there are things that keep us from seeing those dreams fulfilled. This is Part 1. Enjoy! Zechariah 4:10a (NLT)- Do not […]

(Colossians 2:6-7) (NLT) And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him.  Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.   (Colossians 2:8) (NLT) Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.   (Romans 7:15) (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.   Trying vs. Training   1.    It becomes a part of our identity 2.    We feel increasingly hopeless 3.    We get defensive   4.    We become a slave   5.    We begin to lose our life. (Romans 6:12-14) (NLT) Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, (Romans 6:12-14) (NLT) Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace.   Basic Training   1.    Be Consistent (Luke 14:18-20) (NLT) But they all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, ‘I now have a wife, so I can't come.'   2.    Be Strategic   (Proverbs 29:18) (CEB) When there's no vision, the people get out of control, but whoever obeys instruction is happy. 3.    Be Accountable (Proverbs 18:1) (NKJV) A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. 4.    Be Balanced (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) (NLT) Don't team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness?   (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) (NLT) What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?   (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) (NLT) And what union can there be between God's temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.   (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) (NLT) As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don't touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.

(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.”

Title of message:  We Are Not Okay with Consumer Christianity (1 Thessalonians 5:14) (MSG) Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other's nerves you don't snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. (1 Thessalonians 5:14) (NIV) And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  1.    Warn those who are idle and disruptive 2.    Encourage the disheartened 3.    Help the weak The Purpose of Freedom Church – Why we exist: To reach out as FRIENDS with the life-giving message of Jesus so that we all might become fully devoted followers of Christ. (Luke 15:4) (NLT) “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? Moving from Consumer to Contributor: 1.    With our Treasure  (Malachi 3:8) (NLT) “Should people cheat God?   (Malachi 3:8) (NLT) …Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?'   (Malachi 3:8) (NLT) “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.   (Malachi 3:9) (NLT) You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.   (Malachi 3:10) (NLT) Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 2.    With our Time 94% of people said volunteering improved their mood. (Luke 6:31) (NLT) Do to others as you would like them to do to you. (Philippians 2:3-4) (NIV) …in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Ephesians 5:15-18) (MSG) Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days. Don't be vague but firmly grasp what you know to be the will of God. Don't get your stimulus from wine (for there is always the danger of excessive drinking), but let the Spirit stimulate your souls. 3.    With our Talent (1 Peter 4:10) (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. (2 Corinthians 4:2) (MSG) We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don't maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don't twist God's Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God.  

Don't miss this compelling look at the very first relational story in the Bible. Within this incredible story lies absolutes that define how we read and interpret the rest of the Bible but most importantly how we live as followers of Jesus.   Title of message is: Slave vs. Son (Galatians 3:26) (NLT) For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  (Galatians 4:4-5) (NLT) But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children. Are you a Slave or a Son? The slave has a master. The son has a father. (Galatians 4:6) (ESV) And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” The slave is poor. The son is rich.  (Galatians 4:7) (NLT) Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir. The slave is driven by duty. The son is driven by devotion. (Galatians 4:9) (NLT) So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world? Your relationship WITH Him is far more important than anything you can DO for Him.  (Matthew 7:21-23) (NIV) Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' What does it mean to know Him? 1.    View Him as a perfect Father. (Matthew 7:9-11) (NIV) “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Deuteronomy 31:8) (NLT) Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you. 2.    Approach Him through relationship not rules. (John 14:15) (NLT) “If you love me, obey my commandments. (1 John 5:3) (NLT) Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 3.    Seek Him with your whole heart. (Jeremiah 29:13) (NLT) If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Hebrews 11:6) (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.  4.    Respond to sin with life. (Romans 8:1) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:2) …because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.  

    (Proverbs 18:21) (NLT) “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”    Title of message:  Words of Thanksgiving    (1 John 3:18) “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”    How to live out my words of thanksgiving: 1.    Follow the example of Jesus   (Mark 15:31) (MSG) “The high priests, along with the religion scholars, were right there mixing it up with the rest of them, having a great time poking fun at him: "He saved others—but he can't save himself! Messiah, is he? King of Israel? Then let him climb down from that cross. We'll all become believers then!"”    (Ephesians 4:29) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”   2.    Find a person to serve    (Luke 10:30) (NLT) “Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.”  (Luke 10:31-32) (NLT) “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.  A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.”   (Luke 10:33-35) (NLT) “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I'll pay you the next time I'm here.'” How to serve? A. See and feel the need.  B. Don't be callous. C. Express your compassion. D. Be willing to sacrifice. (Luke 10:35-37) (NLT) “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.  The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”  Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” (2 Corinthians 9:13) “Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.”   3.    Focus on life change not life issues   (Philippians 2:14-18) (NLT) “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18) (NIV) “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:10) (MSG) “I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess…I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am…”