C.H.C. Orrville Podcast: Recent Episodes
Chris Hunt
The people closest to us influence more than we probably realize. Our friendships shape our character, our choices, and ultimately, our future. In this message, we’ll explore how God’s wisdom helps us build relationships that encourage us, strengthen our faith, and move us toward the life He has for us; because proximity creates formation, and better decisions build better lives.
Notes
Proximity creates formation.
The standard of your circle becomes the standard of your life.
Considering what I know about me, is it wise to have this person in my life?
Proverbs 12:26a NIV
Consider your past.
Proverbs 22:24-25 NLT
Consider your present.
1 Corinthians 15:33 KJV
Consider your future.
1 Kings 11:4a NIV
Proverbs 13:20 NLT
We become the people we walk closest with.
Words are never just words. Words have the power to build up or tear down, heal or hurt, encourage or discourage. Words don’t just reveal what is in our heart, but they help shape the direction of our life. Discover practical, Biblical wisdom for speaking words that bring life to your relationships, your family, and even to yourself; because better decisions build better lives.
Notes
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will
never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
Words are never just words.
Proverbs 18:21 NLT
1 Kings 3:16-22 NLT
Wise words take time.
Proverbs 29:20 NLT
“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.” President
Abraham Lincoln
Proverbs 17:27-28 NLT
Wise words bring truth.
1 Kings 3:23-26 NLT
Proverbs 28:23 NLT
Wise words bring healing.
Luke 6:45 NLT
1 Kings 3:27 NLT
Proverbs 12:18 AMPC
Everyday, we make thousands of decisions that quietly shape our lives. The good news is that God doesn’t expect us to figure it all out on our own. In this message, we’ll discover where true wisdom begins, why it’s more valuable than anything money can buy, and how asking God for wisdom can lead us toward a better life; because better decisions build better lives.
Notes
Wisdom helps us live with fewer regrets … and more peace.
Proverbs 9:10 NKJV
1 Kings 3:5-10 NKJV
James 1:5 NKJV
Admit you need wisdom.
Proverbs 29:1 CEV
Ask for wisdom.
Apply wisdom.
Matthew 7:24 (Paraphrased)
1 Kings 3:11-13 NKJV
Wisdom isn’t just about making better choices. It’s about you becoming the person you were
always meant to be.
It’s easy to look at the stories of the Bible and think God only worked that way in the past. But the truth is, God is still changing lives and writing new stories today. On Baptism Sunday, we’ll explore how healthy people respond to God through obedience, faith, and celebration—and why, with Jesus, every day can be a brand new day.
Notes
Healthy people respond to God.
Obeying.
Matthew 28:19 MEV
Acts 2:38 MEV
You don’t have to understand to be obedient.
Proclaiming.
Matthew 10:27 MEV
Celebrating.
Luke 15:10 NLT
2 Corinthians 5:17 MEV
God is still writing stories today.
This Father’s Day, we’re exploring why “Honor Matters.” Honor is more than good manners - it’s the decision to recognize the value God has placed in people. Whether it’s honoring those above us, those we influence, or those around us, healthy relationships are built when we learn to see people through the lens of value.
Notes
Romans 12:10 NIV
Honor is our calling.
Honor is a choice, not a feeling.
Honor up.
Romans 13:1 NLT
Recognize the value above you.
Honor down.
Ephesians 6:9 MSG
Recognize the value entrusted to you.
Honor all around.
1 Peter 2:17 MEV
Ephesians 5:21 KJV
1 Peter 3:7 KJV
Recognize the value beside you.
One of the most overlooked relationship principles in the Bible is personal
affirmation. In fact, most people don’t even realize they are starving a relationship they desperately need to thrive. How can we be sure we are properly feeding the most important relationships in our lives so they can continue to grow and flourish? Living “the good life” isn’t about circumstances or possessions; but what we sow into the lives of others.
Notes
Every meaningful thing in life happens in the context of relationship.
Healthy people build healthy relationships.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
Ephesians 4:29 NLT
Unexpressed appreciation is often interpreted as indifference.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
The greatest danger of a difficult relationship isn’t what someone else is doing to you; it’s what it
might be turning you into.
Make it personal.
Make it timely.
Make it specific.
What gets rewarded gets repeated; what get ignored disappears.
Affirm down.
Affirm up.
Affirm inward.
You matter!
Self affirmations:
I am loved.
I am chosen.
I am forgiven.
I am a child of God.
I am called to do this.
I am anointed for this.
God is with me.
God is for me.
I am not alone.
My past is forgiven.
My future is secure.
My faith is making a difference.
There is nothing impossible with God!
Have you ever said, “I don’t know what to do?” Have you ever been stuck, trying to figure out a plan; only to realize you didn’t have the right answers? In this message, Pastor Chris gives both Biblical insight and practical wisdom on what we can do when we don’t know what to do.
Notes
2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV
Faith is not always knowing what to do, but where to look.
Matthew 6:9 KJV
Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
Mark 5:25-34 KJV
Malachi 4:2 KJV
Relationship changes everything.
Matthew 14:22-30 MEV
Admit you don’t know.
Focus on what you do know.
Take the next step you can see.
God is a God who provides for His children. Again and again throughout the pages of the Bible, we see that in every story of need there is a miracle of provision. Sometimes though (if we’re being honest) we’ve been frustrated when it didn’t seem like God came through with what we needed. In today’s message, Pastor Chris takes a candid look at what appears to be contradiction in scripture; and helps us see how alignment with God’s purpose unlocks His miraculous provision.
Notes
Philippians 4:19 MEV
Proverbs 10:24 MEV
God’s provision is connected to His purpose.
John 16:23
Psalm 37:4
Where God guides, He provides.
Genesis 22:1-14 MEV
God’s provision happens in motion, not in advance.
God multiplies what is given.
2 Corinthians 9:10 TPT
God uses you to provide.
Proverbs 10:24 doesn’t mean bad people get what they deserve and good people get what they want; it means when you surrender, God takes away your fears and gives you His desires for your life.
Bishop Bob Newton shares with us a hope filled message about the restorative power of God.
Executive Pastor Landon Boggs of NewPointe Community Church joins us for a special First Wednesday message.
Notes:
2 Kings 6:1-7
Sometimes God’s protection isn’t what He kept us from, but what He kept us for. In today’s message, Pastor Chris reminds us that miracles of divine protection don’t always look the same - but no matter what happens, God is still good, and God is still God.
Notes
Psalm 37:39 NLT
You never step into a moment that God hasn’t planned for.
Acts 16:22-26 MEV
We don’t wait to worship after the miracle, we worship before.
We remember sometimes the miracle isn’t bringing us out, but bringing someone in.
We accept that God’s eternal purposes don’t always align with our temporary plans.
My worship is not built on the outcome, it is based on His identity.
One of the most common tensions that most believers experience is, “If God is a healer, why doesn’t He heal everyone all the time?” Or maybe it’s personal, like: “If God is a healer, why did He let my loved one die?” It’s confusing and painful. Listen as Pastor Chris offers Biblical insight on the subjects of Miracles of Healing, faith to believe, and how to respond when God doesn’t do what you wanted Him to.
Notes
God is a Healer.
John 14:12 NLT
God is a Healer - but he doesn’t heal everyone all the time.
2 Timothy 4:20
1 Timothy 5:23
2 Corinthians 12:7-8
Jesus refused to do miracles to prove Himself.
Jesus never performed a miracle that interfered with God’s ultimate plan.
Jesus didn’t do miracles where there was no faith.
Our faith matters to God.
Bring the faith you have.
Anchor your faith in who God is.
Trust God with what you don’t understand.
I believe for the miracle I want, but I trust the God I have.
We take a few moments to pause and reflect with our Founding Pastors, John and Debbie Boggs, and our Founding Assistant Pastors, David and Charlene Bunner as we celebrate our church’s 30th Anniversary!
Notes
Christian Harbor Church was founded April 9, 1996
Pastors John & Debbie Boggs pastored for 25 years
Pastors Ethan & Lena Boggs transitioned the church in 2021
Pastors Chris & Jeni Hunt became pastors in 2021
The name was changed to Thriving Hills Church in November 2024
We’re in a spiritual battle, but we have a miraculous God who gives authority over darkness in the name of Jesus. Listen in as Pastor Chris discusses spiritual warfare and the authority given to us by Jesus, who said in Luke 10:19, “Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.” (NLT)
Notes
Miracles are when God in heaven intervenes on earth in a way that cannot be explained.
Light Up the Darkness
Ephesians 6:12 MEV
Demons tempt you to sin.
2 Timothy 2:26 MEV
Demons distract you from God’s will for your life.
1 Timothy 4:1 NIV
Demons inflict suffering.
Matthew 17:14-21 (Referenced)
You have miraculous authority over the forces of darkness in the name of Jesus.
Matthew 10:1 MEV
John 1:5 NLT
Ephesians 6:12-13 NLT
You’re not fighting for victory, you’re fighting from victory.
God doesn’t just want to fix our problems, He wants a relationship with us. Relationship with God isn’t just knowing about Him or doing religious things; it’s truly knowing Him, and allowing Him to know us. Jesus never demanded performance, He desired closeness - and He still does today. This is how we can go from a setback to a comeback, and allow God to restore what’s broken, heal what’s hurting, and give purpose to our pain.
Notes
Philippians 3:10 NLT
Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
John 21:15-17 NLT
See how deeply you are loved.
Romans 5:8 NIV
1 John 1:9 NIV
Hebrews 8:12 KJV
Choose relationship over convenience.
Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
The story behind the most cherished and loved song of the Church is the simple but powerful message of the gospel.
Notes
“Amazing Grace” written by John Newton, 1779
Romans 10:13 NIV
The message of heaven can be set to the melody of any life that will receive it.
Our setbacks, no matter how big, are not the end of our story; God can still use
them for something good. The story of Naomi and Ruth is a powerful reminder that what looks like a setback is often setting the stage for something greater. While they both experienced heartbreaking loss and hard times, God was still with them, using their lives to support a greater purpose. Whatever has happened in your life, you don’t have to stay stuck in your setback - our God specializes in comebacks.
Notes
Ruth 1:1-22 MEV
Trust the process.
Don’t let what hurt you harden you.
Hold on!
God uses disruptions for direction.
You don’t have to stay stuck. No matter what dark place you may find yourself in, your story isn’t over; God has a plan to bring you back into the light!
Notes
1 Kings 19:1-4 MEV
Psalm 23:4, 6 KJV
1 Kings 19:5-12, 15-16, 18 MEV
God meets you where you’re stuck.
“We weren’t designed for the sedentary, indoor, socially isolated, sleep-deprived, fast-food-laden way of life we’ve created.” Stephen Ilardi
Recover your strength.
Mark 6:31 NIV
Return to God’s presence.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Anonymous
Remember who you are.
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche
Refocus on your calling.
“The single greatest predictor of depression is not trauma - it’s loneliness.” Dr. Curt Thompson
Reconnect with Godly people.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 MEV
2 Kings 2:11 KJV
Doubt is normal. We all experience it. Even seasoned believers can experience
doubt in difficult situations and seasons. But doubt doesn’t have to be a dead end. Instead, doubt can be the doorway to a deeper devotion and a deeper faith if we allow Jesus to reroute us. In today’s message, Pastor Chris reminds us that our setbacks and wrong turns don’t cancel God’s plan for our lives; but He can reroute our journey, and take us farther and deeper than we ever thought possible.
Notes
Our setbacks don’t cancel God’s plan for our lives. He already included them in His plan.
Our God specializes in the comeback.
John 20:19-29 NLT
Be honest about where you are.
Stay open to encounters with Jesus.
Psalm 47:1 KJV
Give God one year!
Move forward in your faith.
Doubt speaks loud, but the truth gives direction.
Life often leaves us feeling cut down, broken, or too far gone. The good news is, God specializes in comebacks! Through Jesus Christ, He offers us grace and new beginnings. All we need to do is surrender.
Notes
Ephesians 2:1-5
God specializes in the comeback.
Luke 7:36-50 MEV
Take the lid off your worship.
Take the lid off your expectations.
Job 14:7-9
Proverbs 13:12
Put a lid on your past.
Hebrews 8:12 KJV
Worship Pastor GiaVanni Himes shares with us an encouraging message on the definition of worship and how it doesn't begin with songs, but with decisions.
Why do we need the church? What is the purpose of gathering together with other believers and worshipping God together? It might be more important and practical than you think. When we’re struggling, and even when we feel like isolating, the church reminds us that we don’t stand alone.
Notes
We don’t form what we like. We form what God fills.
We are made for connection, but we drift toward isolation.
Hebrews 10:25
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
Ephesians 2:19-22 MSG
Everybody needs God.
”What you believe about God is the most important thing about you.” Timothy Keller
The enemy wants to define you by your scars; Jesus wants to define you by His.
Don’t rehearse what’s missing - rehearse what God has done.
Everybody needs somebody.
Healing most often happens in the context of community.
James 5:16 ESV
Proverbs 14:7 TPT
Start serving - Join a Thrive Group - Get honest with someone.
It’s secrecy that keeps you stuck, and honesty that brings you out.
Somebody needs you.
Your story can be the stone that takes down someone else’s giant.
Pastor Chris speaks about the importance of discipling the next generation during Child Dedication Sunday.
Notes
Matthew 19:13-15 NLT
Psalm 78:4 (Paraphrased)
Jesus didn’t come to improve what we already are, He came to make us entirely new.
Jesus is our Anchor.
Hebrews 6:18-19 NLT
Affection.
“Children are hardwired for connection. If we don’t show up for them, they think they’re not worth showing up for.” Brené Brown
Correction.
Proverbs 19:18 NLT
Hebrews 12:11 NLT
When kids learn to respond to our voice, it trains them to respond to God’s voice.
Jesus is our Cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:20 ESV
Jesus is our Shepherd.
John 10:11 ESV
Luke 10:3 (Paraphrased)
This message is the final installment of our “Power to Change” series, and during this series we’ve learned what we need to do to start godly habits and break bad habits. Here we get the final piece of the puzzle: how the power of consistency can make our results last.
Notes
The habits you have right now will shape who you become tomorrow.
Galatians 6:7-9 NIV
How you live determines who you become.
You reap what you sow.
If you don’t like what you’re reaping, change what you’re sowing.
You reap more than you sow.
Mark 4:20 NLT
It’s not what you do occasionally, but what you do consistently, that moves the needle.
You reap after you sow.
Set your dreams high, set your goals low.
“The days when you don’t have it, you don’t mail it in, you don’t pack it in, you give it everything you’ve got - you grind it out.” Tiger Woods
The things that no one sees bring the results everyone wants.
Galatians 6:9 NLT
Have you ever been so frustrated at the inability to change yourself or your
circumstances that you said, “I’m trying so hard!” So many of us have, and we know exactly how it feels to be frustrated at the inability to create change. What we need to know is, trying alone never creates change - training does. It’s a consistent theme throughout scripture: training
yourself for godliness. In this message, Pastor Chris shares the directive required to tap into the Power to Change: Stop trying, and start training.
Notes
1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT
“If you ain’t first, you’re last.” Ricky Bobby, Talladega Nights.
Stop trying, start training.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT
“We are not trying to be different people, we are training to be different people.” Dallas Willard
Trying: An attempt to change with minimal commitment.
Training: A whole-hearted commitment to achieve a certain result.
You get the gear.
You make a plan.
Define the win.
One of our young communicators, Emilie Hunt, shares with us on how our choices do not only impact our present, but also the future.
Breaking bad habits in our lives isn’t always easy - sometimes it’s pretty difficult.
But there is hope, and there is Power to Change. In this message, Pastor Chris shares the painful truth about our bad habits, and gives both practical application and spiritual insight for breaking free from them. No matter who you are, what you have done, or where you find yourself today, if you’re feeling stuck there is Power to Change.
Notes
Judges 16:1 NIV
Zorah to Gaza was about 25 miles, or roughly 56,250 steps.
James 1:21 GNT
You cannot defeat what you do not define.
Remove the cue.
Proverbs 4:14-15 NIV
5 most common cues: Places, Times, Moods, Moments, People.
H.A.L.T. - Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.
Proverbs 13:20 NIV
Interrupt the action.
Asking for help is never a sign of weakness - it is a sign of wisdom.
If you’re hoping to make changes in your life, hope alone won’t do it - habits will. In this message, Pastor Chris explores the powerful truths behind habit science, and explains how it can work for you. No matter who you are, what you have done, or where you find yourself, you can start right now creating the habits that will give you the Power to Change.
Notes
Hope alone won’t change your life - habits will.
Over 40% of what you do daily is not the result of decisions, but habits.
God often does big things through small habits.
Daniel 6:10 NIV
Hebrews 10:25 BSB
Make it obvious.
Make it easy.
1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
Zechariah 4:10 NLT
Keep shooting your shot!
Never underestimate how God can start something big through one small habit.
Few things in life are more frustrating than knowing you need to change, trying to change, but not actually changing. What we might not realize is why we do the things we do - because of what we believe about ourselves. Our identity creates our behaviors, and in turn, our behaviors reinforce our identity; ultimately placing us in a loop that plays endlessly in our lives. If you want the Power to Change some things in your life today - if you want to Break the Loop that has you spinning like a hamster on a wheel - then join us for this honest, practical, hope-filled series designed to give you the Power to Change.
Notes
Proverbs 23:7 (Paraphrased, NKJV)
You do what you do because of what you think of you.
What type of person am I?
What kind of situation is this?
What does a person like me do in a situation like this?
If you want to change what you do, change what you think about you.
Your habits are just your identity on a loop.
John 8:44-45 (NLT)
Luke 21:37 NLT
Luke 22:39 NASB2020
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new ID.” James Clear, Atomic Habits.
Few things in life are more frustrating than knowing you need to change, trying to change, but not actually changing. And that’s most of us: we want to change, we try to change, but we fail more than we succeed. If you’re Sick of Being Stuck, then this series is for you. The
Power to Change is all about why change fails, and where real power for change comes from. It is real, reachable, and meant for you. Join us for this honest, practical, and hope-filled series
designed to give you the Power to Change your life.
Notes
Inc. magazine (2023) Most people quit their resolutions by the second Friday in January.
Romans 7:15, 19, 24 NLT
Romans 7:24-25 NLT
Real change isn’t behavior modification. Real change is spiritual transformation.
God, then me (wrong).
God, not me (wrong).
God through me (right!)
1 Corinthians 5:9-10 NIV
Zechariah 4:6 (paraphrased)
2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT
As we get ready to launch into a new year, full of endless possibilities and the hope of positive change, it’s important to recognize that we can’t make these changes happen entirely on our own. There is a greater power that makes it possible. As we get ready for our first series of 2026, “The Power to Change,” Pastor Chris reminds us what makes that change possible.
Notes
Hebrews 9:12 ESV
Revelation 12:11 KJV
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Quit giving the power of your voice to the enemy.
Hebrews 8:12 KJV
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Ephesians 1:3 NKJV
Will you receive the blood?
Exodus chapter 12 - Plague of firstborn
Hebrews 9:22 KJV, MSG
Life gets busy, heavy, and ordinary sometimes. Without realizing it, the best of us can “drift” and even “fall asleep” on our faith, our family, and our purpose. But we’re not the first people to fall asleep spiritually when God was close and ready to do something incredible in our lives; and in this message, Pastor Chris talks about what to do when you realize you’re sleeping on your calling through the classic story of the first Christmas.
Notes
Luke 2:4-7 ESV
Revelation 3:20 KJV
Get comfortable.
Matthew 16:24 KJV
Shut out the light.
Psalm 119:130 NKJV
”You treat God exactly how you treat His Word.” Pastor Adrian Rogers
Progressively Disengage.
Galatians 3:3 (Paraphrased)
Revelation 2:4 KJV, BSB
Ephesians 5:14 (Paraphrased)
“Lord, bend me.”
The story of the Wise Men (also called Magi) in Matthew chapter 2 is rich in far more than just tradition, but in application for our everyday lives. While their image has been a staple on greeting cards and in Nativity scenes, the real story of these mysterious people begins well before their encounter with Jesus and speaks to us long after. What can we learn from them? How can this story help us today? Check it out as Pastor Chris shares the power of seeking Jesus.
Notes
Matthew 2:1-12 ESV
The wisest thing we can ever do is seek Jesus.
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV
Proverbs 8:17 ESV
Matthew 6:33 KJV
Seekers are committed even when it’s hard.
Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
Seekers are extravagant worshippers.
John 14:9 NLT
John 10:30 ESV
Seekers are changed forever.
Jeremiah 29:13-14 MSG
1 Peter 5:5 NKJV
1 Corinthians 1:27 KJV
Isaiah 55:6 ESV
You can only be changed up close.
The Christmas Story found in Luke chapter 2 is more than an ancient tale; more than tradition meant to be kept alive at a certain time each year. It is good news - of great joy - meant for all people, everywhere. Listen in as Pastor Chris sets the backdrop, introduces the characters, and conveys the meaning behind the message the angels brought that night.
Notes
God didn’t shout His love from heaven. He came near, and showed it in the earth.
Luke 2:8-14 ESV
Good news.
Romans 1:16 NLT
We don’t need to straighten out before we come to Jesus; we get straightened out by Jesus.
Great joy.
John 15:11 ESV
Nehemiah 8:10 KJV
Proverbs 17:22 TPT
Psalm 16:11 ESV
1 Peter 1:8 KJV
For all people.
Romans 3:22 NLT
82% of unchurched people are likely to attend if asked.
“The church exists for nothing else but to draw men to Christ.” C.S. Lewis
Christmas is for everyone, because everyone needs good news and great joy.
Now more than ever, our world needs to see the fruit of God’s Spirit modeled in the lives of genuine believers. This fruit is the evidence of what’s going on inside of us, and is the proof of who we are in Christ. When our lives feel out of control, we need the fruit of self-control to help us get back on the right path for our lives. Self-control is the fruit of God’s power working in us, helping us to do what we should do - and really want to do - rather than what we shouldn’t do but often struggle with. Growing this fruit is essential to living the life God has always intended us to live: a life that is rich and fruitful.
Notes
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
A self-controlled person is one who masters their desires and passions, especially their sensual appetites.
Proverbs 25:28 NLT
Romans 7:15-24 NLT
John 3:17 (Quoting NKJV)
We don’t live by our feelings, we live by our choices.
Romans 7:25-8:2 NLT
The fruit of self control is God’s power helping me make the right choices today, so I can have the life I want in the future.
Repent.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (paraphrased)
Fall in love with Jesus.
John 14:15 NIV
Commit to the lifestyle of a disciple.
Galatians 5:16 NIV
Guard against going back to my old way of living.
Vietnam story and James Clear quote are found in the book, “Atomic Habits.”
Matthew 5:29-30 (paraphrased)
What is the fruit of gentleness? It is widely misunderstood, and yet, sorely needed in our world today. Jesus described Himself as gentle in Matthew 11:29 (NIV), and yet the Bible also tells stories of Him flipping tables, casting out demons, rebuking the devil, and declaring great truths in the face of fierce opposition. Some of these stories don’t match our definition of the word “gentle,” and yet, that is exactly who Jesus is. Pastor Chris unpacks this today in a way that can help you and bring you closer to God, so that you can grow the fruit of gentleness and live the life God always intended you to live.
Notes
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Matthew 11:29 NIV
Philippians 2:6-8 NLT
Gentleness comes from awareness.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 NLT
Gentleness isn’t weakness - it’s carefulness.
Gentleness is expressed through security.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Gentleness doesn’t turn up the volume, it turns up the value.
Gentleness is the proof of forgiveness.
Philippians 4:5 NIV
Forgiven people forgive people - even before they’re sorry.
Worship Pastor GiaVanni Himes shares an important message on growing the fruit of faithfulness in our lives. In a world where people are often quick to move in the face of challenge and controversy, faithfulness stays.
Today, our guest speaker shares with us how we can let the fruit of goodness grow in our lives.
Pastor Alan Bostick, Emilie Hunt, and Heather Snyder share about people who have made an impact in their life.
The fruit of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) isn’t something we can learn, but a byproduct of who we are. When we are producing this kind of fruit in our lives, then we know that what is going on inside of us is consistent with the Biblical values that our world so
desperately needs today. God wants this to happen in our lives, so we can enjoy the full life He intends for us and share it with others. Rather than hardening our hearts in an effort to protect ourselves, Pastor Chris shares how we can begin to produce kindness from the inside out in a way that both blesses our lives, and enriches the world around us.
Notes
2 Timothy 4:10 KJV
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
Proverbs 11:17 NIV
Ephesians 4:32 NKJV
2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
Unthankful.
2 Peter 1:3 (paraphrasing)
Unholy.
Proverbs 9:10 KJV
Unloving.
John 3:16 KJV
Unforgiving.
Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
When forgiveness flows, kindness grows.
The fruit of patience is often misunderstood. It is not meant to help us deal with the annoyances of life - it is actually meant to help us endure the trials, struggles, and mistreatment we all face with a Christ-like attitude. This is important so we can mature properly and grow
through our challenges, rather than just survive them and wait for the next one to come along. Today, let’s lock eyes with Jesus, so we can live the rich and fruitful life we were created for!
Notes
Galatians 5:22 KJV
James 1:4 MEV
Wait for God.
Proverbs 13:12 NKJV
Endure through trials.
Genesis 50:20 NLT
Forgive each other.
Colossians 3:13 NIV
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
Focus on who Jesus is.
Hebrews 10:23 ESV
Focus on what Jesus said.
Focus on what Jesus did.
Hebrews 4:15 ESV
If you want to get closer to God, it’s not something you can learn how to do - it
takes an all-in commitment to becoming someone new. It won’t happen overnight, but day by day and choice by choice, you can make the decision to grow deeper and live fuller in the life you were always meant to live - a life that is rich and fruitful.
Notes
Peace isn’t the absence of problems, it’s the presence of God.
Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
The Bible is the most powerful, relevant, and practical source for an abundant spiritual, physical, and soul life.
John 14:27 NIV
Philippians 4:4-7 NIV
This world is loud - you don’t have to be.
Proverbs 15:1 KJV
Peace is a person - not a feeling.
“Peace is the legible autograph of the Holy Spirit on a renewed heart.” Charles Spurgeon
Romans 15:33 KJV
Isaiah 9:6 KJV
2 Thessalonians 3:16 KJV
Be wrapped in peace - not the pressure.
Philippians 4:8-9 NIV
If you want to get closer to God, it’s not something you can learn how to do - it takes an all-in commitment to becoming someone new. It won’t happen overnight, but day by day and choice by choice, you can make the decision to grow deeper and live fuller in the life you were always meant to live - a life that is rich and fruitful.
Notes
“Fruit of the Spirit”
- Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Nehemiah 8:10 ESV
“God is love”
- 1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16 ESV
John 15:10-11 ESV
Joy grows where you’re planted.
Psalm 16:11 AMP
Psalm 34:3 ESV
Psalm 103:1-5 ESV
Joy grows when you release it.
Psalm 100:1-5 ESV
Joy grows when you remember you are found.
Romans 6:22-23 NLT
Hebrews 12:2 KJV
If you want to get closer to God, it’s not something you can learn how to do - it
takes an all-in commitment to becoming someone new. It won’t happen overnight, but day by day and choice by choice, you can make the decision to grow deeper and live fuller in the life you were always meant to live - a life that is rich and fruitful.
Notes
Week One: Love
Galatians 5:16-23 NLT
Galatians 5:4 KJV
You can’t learn fruit. Fruit grows when the roots are healthy.
John 3:16 KJV
Matthew 5:23-24 NLT
Galatians 5:6 (paraphrased)
Understand the depth of God’s love for you.
Luke 7:36-47 KJV
Micah 7:8 KJV
Receive God’s love.
1 John 4:19 KJV
Romans 5:8 KJV
Choose to love.
Matthew 6:21 KJV
Whatever I love becomes an obsession.
Whatever I’m obsessed with, I imitate.
Whatever I imitate, I become.
Whatever I love changes me into the image of what I love.
Pastor Chris sets the table for a new series starting Sunday by explaining the reason and occasion behind it.
Notes
John 15:8 NIV
John 13:35 TPT
2 Corinthians 2:17 NLT
Be sincere.
Galatians 6:2 NIV
Walk in Christ’s authority.
Acts 20:27 NLT
Remember God is watching!
Luke 8:17 NLT
Matthew 6:4,6,18 KJV
When someone says, “I have decided to follow Jesus,” what does that mean? What
does it look like? Are we supposed to live our faith publicly and boldly, or should we keep it to ourselves? Sometimes, we want to live a life of faith and doing good, but we struggle to stay with it over time. What can help? PC talks about this today.
Notes
Most people come to faith in Jesus because of relationships.
Romans 10:14 MSG
Very few people stick with their faith without Godly relationships.
Proverbs 27:17 ESV
1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV
Luke 1:41 NLT
Encounters with Jesus are powerful.
Matthew 3:14-15 NLT
Following Jesus is a choice.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Discipleship means allegiance to Christ, and it is expressed in daily decisions.”
Luke 3:21-22 NIV
The Holy Spirit responds to obedience.
D.L. Moody: “God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves. If we take the first step in obedience, He always meets us there.”
Prodigal son: Luke 15
So much going on in the world. So much uncertainty. Big decisions to make. How can we avoid being sucked into the media machine, and rightly discern God’s will for our lives?
Notes
This world is not our home.
Philippian 3:20 NLT
1 John 2:15-17 NLT
Colossians 3:2-3 NIV
Galatians 6:2 NIV
We over-spiritualize God’s will.
We are asking for an open door, but living with a closed Bible.
James 1:5 NIV
We overanalyze God’s will.
Hebrews 11:6 NKJV
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
We assume that hard means wrong.
1 Peter 3:17 NIV
Just because you don’t feel convicted doesn’t mean you’re not compromising.
If you want to know God’s will, get to know God’s heart.
How does God lead us in our lives? At Thriving Hills Church, we believe that it is God’s will for every person on Earth to thrive in life through a relationship with Jesus Christ. In that relationship, we believe it is possible to know what God’s will is for our lives and to be led by the Holy Spirit in what we do - but what does that look like?
Notes
God’s will doesn’t always come in a whisper from heaven, but often through wisdom on earth.
Open Doors
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 NIV
Closed Doors
Acts 16:6-7 NLT
Frustrated Plans
1 Corinthians 16:5-7 TPT
Psalm 119:105 KJV
Everyday Choices.
Titus 3:12 NLT
1 Thessalonians 3:1 NLT
Ephesians 1:11 NLT
You don’t have to be certain to be faithful.
How can we ensure that we get to where we’re really supposed to be in life? With
so many options, so many choices, and so many opinions, how can we really be sure if we are finding God’s will for our lives, and not just messing things up? Pastor Chris teaches how finding God’s will for our lives is more than locating a dot on the map, but is actually a series of choices we make today.
Notes
The will of God is more about who you are becoming than what you are doing.
Matthew 6:34 NLT
James 4:13-15 NIV
2 Timothy 1:9 NLT
1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV
The best way to find God’s will for your future is to live faithfully for Jesus today.
Pastor Adam Drinkard brings a great message on the importance of prioritizing the presence of God and the pursuit of a relationship with Him.
We all have big decisions and important choices to make in life, and many times the answers are unclear. Have you ever wished someone would just tell you what to do? While most times we won’t have certainty, we can have clarity, confidence, and direction - even when we’re not sure.
Notes
Romans 12:2 KJV
God’s sovereign will.
Isaiah 46:10 NLT
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
The devil can mess with your plans, but he cannot stop God’s purpose.
God’s moral will.
1 Thessalonians 4:3 NLT
You can’t walk in God’s will if you’re disobeying His Word.
God’s permissive will.
1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT
Genesis chapter 37
God’s personal will.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Psalm 32:8 NIV
We overcomplicate God’s will and underestimate God’s goodness.
Trust God’s plan. Obey God’s Word. Accept what he allows. Walk where He leads.
Have you ever wanted to ask God for something so big and so bold that you could barely say it out loud? Learn what can happen when we Dare to Ask God for the impossible.
Notes
You don’t have to settle for the mundane. You can participate in the miraculous!
Mark 9:14-23 NLT
2 Kings 5:1-14 NLT
James 1:22 TPT
What would make you walk away?
Real friends won’t let you walk away.
A.C.T. - Analyze, Consult, Think.
Get to the water!
If you get to the water, the water will do its work.
Have you ever faced an impossible situation? Have you ever had to muster faith for something that scared you? Have you ever been in a place where faith in God wasn’t just one option, but your only option? Learn what can happen when we choose faith over fear and Dare to Ask God for the impossible.
Notes
Storms we choose.
Storms we chase.
Storms that come.
John 16:33 NIV
Matthew 5:45 ESV
Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV
Mark 4:35-41 ESV
God is with you in the storm!
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
Ephesians 2:10 NLT
Philippians 1:6 KJV
Romans 8:28 KJV
Acts 27 KJV
Broken pieces don’t mean broken promises.
Hold on!
Psalms 126:5-6 NIV
Galatians 6:9 ESV
You can still get to where you’re going if you just hold on.
Have you ever wanted to ask God for something so big and so bold that you could barely say it out loud? Learn what can happen when we Dare to Ask God for the impossible.
Notes
Mark 5:22-42 NIV
Recognize
Reject
Replace
Joshua 10:13, 1:8 NIV
John 15:7 ESV
Psalm 1:1-3 ESV
Malachi 4:2 KJV
Pastor LaShayna McCourt shares with us an important message on taking time to sit at the feet of Jesus.
Have you ever wanted to ask God for something so big and so bold that you could
barely say it out loud? Learn what can happen when we Dare to Ask God for the impossible.
Notes
Hebrews 4:16
James 4:2
Hebrews 11:6
Joshua 10:7-14
1 John 5:14-15
Worship Pastor GiaVanni Himes shares with us how God has already prepared everything we need for us to move past the natural fears we have and do what He has called us to do.
Pastor Adam Drinkard gives us a great message on how learning to receive God's love and grace can put us in position to step into our purpose.
Pastor Chris teaches there is a difference between the temporary, fleeting joy that is based on our circumstances and the abiding joy we can have in Christ, even on our hardest days. How is that possible? What do we need to do? Find out in the message today.
Notes
Nehemiah 8:10 ESV
God is still in control even when life seems to be falling apart.
Job 42:1-2, 10, 13, 15-16 NIV
God will work it out even when it seems hopeless.
Genesis 2:21-23 NIV
God deserves our praise even when we can’t see or feel Him in our situation.
Isaiah 64:8 ESV
Stop dwelling on what happened before.
Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV
Start looking for new opportunities.
Adopt an eternal perspective.
Broken pieces don’t mean broken promises.
2 Chronicles 7:14-16 NIV
We are all Built to Build.
1 Corinthians 3:10 NIV
You are built to surrender to God.
John 16:23 NIV
Psalm 40:7-8 KJV
Matthew 26:39 NIV
You are built to see things differently.
Matthew 9:36 NIV
Mark 10:45 NIV
You are built to rescue others.
You are built to build in this generation something that will last for generations to come.
It’s summer at Thriving Hills, and we are taking a look at the practical things that
can either add joy to our lives, or take it away. One of the primary ways our influence in a person’s life is shown or given is through the power of our words. We tend to become what the most important (and influential) people in our lives say we will become. Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Even our Father in Heaven modeled the importance of our words and what it looks like in our lives, when on two different occasions, He spoke over Jesus: “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17 and 17:5 NIV). Likewise, we too can choose to speak life over people with words of acceptance, affection, and affirmation.
Notes
Proverbs 18:21 KJV
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
Matthew 3:17, 17:5 NIV
Romans 4:17 KJV
Psalm 103:10 KJV
Proverbs 15:1 KJV
Proverbs 25:11 ESV
THINK before I speak:
T - Is it true?
H - Is it helpful?
I - Is it inspiring?
N - Is it necessary?
K - Is it kind?
Matthew 12:36 NIV
Psalm 68:5-6 NIV
Galatians 6:7 KJV
James 1:18 NLT
It’s summer at Thriving Hills Church! A time that should be fun, laid back, and full of time spent enjoying beautiful weather and the people closest to us. Unfortunately, there are lots of things that can come along and steal our joy without us even realizing it. This month, let’s reclaim our joy and enjoy all that God has given us.
Notes
Finding Joy in the Journey
Song of Solomon 2:15 KJV
Small bothers left unresolved can ruin something beautiful and valuable.
John 10:10 NIV
Sometimes what we see as common is really very uncommon.
Have you ever wanted a “do-over?” Have you ever messed up and wished you
could have a soft reset on the situation? We all want second chances but sometimes struggle to offer them to others. What if that reluctance on our part is hindering our own fresh start? In this series, we look at the Biblical prophet Jonah - a man who needed a second chance himself and found it in the most unexpected way. The good news is, God loves giving second, third, and fiftieth chances; and showing us time and again that He never gives up on us.
Notes:
Jonah 3:10 NIV
Jonah 4:1-3 NIV
It’s possible to do the will of God without the heart of God.
Jonah 4:5 NIV
Ezekiel 8:16 (paraphrased)
It’s possible to claim God, but live with your back to Him.
Matthew 7:21-23 KJV
Job 1:21 KJV
Jonah 4:6-8 NIV
Jonah 4:9-11 NIV
Matthew 12:41 NIV
Our good God is gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and abounding in love!
Every chance from God requires a choice from us.
This week we continue with our series on the book of Jonah, as Evangelist Bob Newton from Powerhouse Ministries in Iowa joins us.
Have you ever wanted a “do-over?” Have you ever messed up and wished you
could have a soft reset on the situation? We all want second chances but sometimes struggle to offer them to others. What if that reluctance on our part is hindering our own fresh start? In this series, we look at the Biblical prophet Jonah - a man who needed a second chance himself and found it in the most unexpected way. The good news is, God loves giving second, third, and fiftieth chances; and showing us time and again that He never gives up on us.
Notes:
Jonah 1:17 NIV
Jonah 2:1 NIV
Sometimes what we call a problem, God calls provision.
James 5:13 NIV
It’s time to pray!
Just because we are helpless doesn’t mean we are hopeless.
Jonah 2:2-9 NIV
Psalm 3:4, 16:10, 31:22, 69:1, 40:2, 18:6, 31:6, 116:14, 3:8
We praise before we see the miracle.
While you’re waiting, God is still working!
Matthew 12:39-40 NIV
Have you ever wanted a “do-over?” Have you ever messed up and wished you could have a soft reset on the situation? We all want second chances but sometimes struggle to offer them to others. What if that reluctance on our part is hindering our own fresh start? In this series, we look at the Biblical prophet Jonah - a man who needed a second chance himself and found it in the most unexpected way. The good news is, God loves giving second, third, and fiftieth chances; and showing us time and again that He never gives up on us.
Notes:
Jonah 1:1-5 NIV
If you want to run from God, the devil will always give you a ride.
We take responsibility for our decisions.
Jonah 1:8-9 NIV
We accept the consequences for our actions.
Jonah 1:11-13 NIV
Psalm 103:10-12 ESV
We trust God with the outcome.
Jonah 1:15-16 NIV
Even in the most turbulent turnarounds, God can be trusted.
Jesus has been attached to many agendas throughout history, both good and bad;
yet His teachings have persisted across generations and cultures because they cut to the core of the human experience. To some, He is a nuisance who won’t go away; and to others, He holds the key to meaning and purpose in life. Even people who scoff at religion, the Church, and Christianity in general are fascinated and even enamored with Jesus. As we celebrate Easter Sunday, let’s find out together the answer to the question: “Who is Jesus?”
Notes
Luke 23:44-46
Luke 24:1-6 ESV
Jesus is the answer to getting peace.
John 16:33 (paraphrased)
Matthew 11:28 (NLT)
Jesus is the answer to getting healed.
1 Peter 2:24 (ESV)
Jesus is the answer to discovering our purpose.
Ephesians 2:10 (MSG)
Jesus is the answer to our sin problem.
1 Corinthians 15:56-57 (NIV)
Hebrews 4:14-16 (paraphrased)
Jesus is the answer to death.
John 11:25-26 (ESV)
1 Corinthians 15:54-55 (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 4:14 (paraphrased)
John 3:16 (KJV)
Jesus has been attached to many agendas throughout history, both good and bad; yet His teachings have persisted across generations and cultures because they cut to the core of the human experience. To some, He is a nuisance who won’t go away; and to others, He holds the key to meaning and purpose in life. Even people who scoff at religion, the Church, and Christianity in general are fascinated and even enamored with Jesus. As we approach Easter, let’s find out together the answers to the question: “Who is Jesus?”
Notes
John 6:63-71 ESV
Mark 7:37 ESV
Matthew 7:22-23 ESV
Exodus 9:16 KJV
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV
Romans 13:1 NKJV
Psalm 75:7 NKJV
John 13:18 NKJV
Psalm 41:9 NKJV
Proverbs 19:21 NIV
Romans 14:12 ESV
2 Corinthians 5:10 ESV
Matthew 26:24 KJV
Acts 1:25 ESV
John 3:3 KJV
Romans 10:9-10 NLT
We openly declare that Jesus is the Lord of our lives.
We believe in Jesus with our heart.
We daily put our faith in Jesus, not ourselves.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
John 15:7-8 MSG
Put your faith where God has put your sins - on Jesus.
This week Pastor Chris had a message especially prepared for the parents and families of the children who were being dedicated. Drawing on an unexpected moment in his own parenting years ago, “PC” encourages us in how to navigate unexpected questions.
Notes
Matthew 11:2-5 NLT
Don’t be afraid to ask.
Matthew 7:7-8 KJV
James 1:5 NLT
Remember the facts.
“Drive it with data.”
Accept the invitation of Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-29 NLT
Proverbs 22:6 KJV, NLT
Jesus has been attached to many agendas throughout history, both good and bad; yet His teachings have persisted across generations and cultures because they cut to the core of the human experience. To some, He is a nuisance who won’t go away; and to others, He holds the key to meaning and purpose in life. Even people who scoff at religion, the Church, and Christianity in general are fascinated and even enamored with Jesus. As we approach Easter, let’s find out together the answers to the question: “Who is Jesus?”
Notes
Luke 10:25-37 NLT
The Traveller (us).
Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV
Matthew 5:45 ESV
The Good Samaritan (Jesus).
Isaiah 53:3 KJV
Mark 1:41 ESV
Isaiah 53:5 KJV
John 3:13 ESV
Luke 4:18 KJV
The Inn (The Church).
John 13:34 ESV
Love sacrificially.
John 15:13 NLT
Love when it’s hard.
Luke 6:28 ESV
Romans 12:21 KJV
Love unconditionally.
Romans 5:8 KJV
Love with the truth.
Ephesians 4:15 ESV
Proverbs 27:6 NLT
Jesus has been attached to many agendas throughout history, both good and bad; yet His teachings have persisted across generations and cultures because they cut to the core of the human experience. To some, He is a nuisance who won’t go away; and to others, He holds the key to meaning and purpose in life. Even people who scoff at religion, the Church, and Christianity in general are fascinated and even enamored with Jesus. As we approach Easter, let’s find out together the answers to the question: “Who is Jesus?”
Notes
Mark 8:27-29 NLT
1 Peter 3:15-16 NLT
The Question of Jesus.
“It is impossible to explain the rise of the Christian church or the writings of the gospels and the
stream of tradition behind them without accepting the fact that the founder of Christianity
actually existed.” Howard Marshall
The Problem of Jesus.
John 14:6 NLT
The Invitation of Jesus.
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Everything Jesus said and did was done so we could find rest and purpose.
Jesus has been attached to many agendas throughout history, both good and bad;
yet His teachings have persisted across generations and cultures because they cut to the core of the human experience. To some, He is a nuisance who won’t go away; and to others, He holds the key to meaning and purpose in life. Even people who scoff at religion, the Church, and Christianity in general are fascinated and even enamored with Jesus. As we approach Easter, let’s find out together the answers to the question: “Who is Jesus?”
Notes
“More Than Words”
Greed: a selfish and excessive desire for more of something than is needed.
Luke 12:13-15 NLT
Unguarded.
Luke 12:20-21 NLT
Self-serving.
Deuteronomy 8:18 KJV
Luke 12:22-30 NLT
Worry.
Luke 12:31-32 NLT
Live for God first.
James 1:17 KJV
Luke 12:33-34 NLT
Live generously.
The Teacher will give you all the information, but you have to answer the questions.
God is always present when we need Him the most.
In the final installment of this series, Pastor Chris talks about the effects of technology on our relationships and the struggles we can experience. This is something that we can all relate to on some level, so how do we navigate it?
Notes
John 13:34-35 NIV
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT
Matthew 18:20 NIV
Be present.
Romans 12:9-10, 13 NLT
Be engaged.
1 Peter 4:8 NLT
1 John 3:18 NLT
In a technology-driven world, relationships matter.
In a culture that increasingly challenges relationships and sexuality, the ancient and timeless truth of the Holy Bible is that our bodies belong to God. There are many lies in the world today, perpetuated by the enemy and permeating into every area of our culture, which challenge long-held beliefs and eventually lead many to emotional and relational destruction. Today, Pastor Chris reminds us that sex is not casual, it is not to be taken lightly, and it does not define who we are as people. When we choose to follow God’s plan for our bodies, our sexuality, and our relationships, the results can exceed our wildest expectations.
Notes
Proverbs 5:18-19 NIV
Lust: “I want it.”
Entitlement: “I deserve it.”
Pride: “I can handle it.”
Romans 1:21-22, 24-25 NLT
Psalm 51:5 KJV
1 Thessalonians 4:4 ESV
“We all have a sex drive, but we don’t let sex drive.” Pastor Levi Lusko
1 Cor. 6:18-20, 7:3-4 NLT
Lamentations 3:19-23 NLT
Proverbs 14:12 ESV
Romans 8:1 ESV
Jeremiah 6:16 NKJV
God’s way isn’t restrictive. It’s restful.
Relationships are critical to our success, our happiness, our peace, and ultimately, our quality of life. God designed us to “Do life together.” But relationships don’t always go great
or yield the kind of fruit we were hoping for. Pastor Chris shares how we can work to ensure that the relationships that matter most in our lives are healthy and productive.
Notes
Matthew 22:37 NIV
Proverbs 13:20 ESV
Proverbs 27:17 NIV
Purpose.
Amos 3:3 MSG
Problems.
Proverbs 17:17 NIV
Productivity.
Deuteronomy 32:30 NIV
All relationships have conflict sooner or later; it’s just a fact of life. Our goal is not to escape it, but to do it God’s way by learning how to have healthy conflict. Healthy conflict resolution can actually cause great growth and personal satisfaction as we experience relationships the way that God designed us to - to sharpen one another, to help one another, and to build each other up.
Notes
Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV
All relationships have conflict.
Great relationships have healthy conflict.
Healthy conflicts are safe.
“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument.” Desmond Tutu
Healthy conflict is timely.
Healthy conflict is resolved.
John 10:10 KJV
2 Corinthians 13:11 NIV
John 8:1-11 (paraphrased)
Look within.
Deuteronomy 22:22 (paraphrased)
Matthew 7:5 NIV
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Psalm 19:14 KJV
Be completely honest.
Be secure in your faith.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (paraphrased)
Romans 8:31 (paraphrased)
Romans 8:28 (paraphrased)
Be free!
Romans 12:21 ESV
Healthy relationships require healthy conflict resolution.
Relationships can be difficult and sometimes painful. What God designed to be the greatest source of comfort for our lives often becomes a source of frustration, hurt, insecurity, and even aggression. The truth is, God has great purpose for relationships in our lives; and relationships are the context in which He blesses us the most. So, how can we remedy this? How can we get back to good relationships when we’ve had some pretty bad ones; and how can we build good relationships if we lack them currently?
Regardless of what has happened in our lives, we can foster healthy relationships when we allow the Holy Spirit to first heal our hearts. In truth, our life experiences are filtered and our decisions are made based on what is happening in our hearts. This is why it is so important that we have healthy, healed, and freed hearts - so that we can receive the freedom that is available to us through Jesus by getting our hearts right with God, and stepping into the full and thriving life that He has for us.
Notes
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Matthew 5:28 (paraphrased)
Matthew 19:8 (paraphrased)
Matthew 18:6-7 (paraphrased)
Revelation 2:5 (paraphrased)
Romans 12:2 MSG
Daniel 1:3-4, 6-7 NIV
Confused identity.
Distorted spirituality.
Wounded emotions.
Redirected purpose.
Let the one who designed me define me.
Psalm 139:13-16 NIV
See God the right way.
Psalm 139:17 NLT
Allow God to heal my heart.
Lamentations 2:19 ESV
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Invite God into your future.
What God wants from you is your heart.
Relationships are complicated. Relationships get messy. Relationships can build
you up, fill you with confidence, and bring you great joy and success; and they can also break your heart and even beat you down and break you. No matter who you are, the person you are today has largely been shaped by the relationships in your life; and the person you will be five or ten years from now will largely be determined by the relationships you have right now. Truly, the quality of your relationships determines the quality of your life.
The Bible makes it clear that relationship trumps everything else - so, for the next several
weeks, we are going to examine how we can make our relationships better; because when our relationships are better, our lives will be better.
Notes
The quality of your life will not exceed the quality of your relationships.
“You will be the same person in 5 years as you are today, except for the people you meet and
the books you read.” Charlie Tremendous Jones
“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” Jim Rohn
Life moves at the speed of relationships.
Galatians 6:2 NLT
“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another person, “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.” C.S. Lewis
“Things don’t go wrong and break your heart so you can be bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all you were intended to be.” Charlie
Tremendous Jones
1 Peter 4:8-11 NIV
I will nurture my important relationships.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV
I will restore my broken relationships.
Romans 12:17-18 NIV
I will cut off any harmful relationships.
Proverbs 27:19 TLB
Proverbs 13:20 ESV
I will initiate some meaningful relationships.
Hebrews 10:25 NLT
When your relationships are better, your life will be better.
This week, Pastor Chris brought a message for “Vision Sunday” by reminding us of the vision of the church and the vision God has for our lives. One of the most important things we can have is clarity and vision for our lives. Many of us are aiming at something – but it’s not God’s vision for our lives. What is the bullseye when it comes to our faith? And how do we hit it?
Notes:
Proverbs 29:18 KJV
“Helping people thrive in life through a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV
Numbers 25:1-9 NLT
Everyone ends up somewhere, but few people end up somewhere on purpose.
Make Jesus my Savior and Lord.
Be made new by Jesus.
Proverbs 27:19 TLB
Become like Jesus.
Do what Jesus did.
We are at our healthiest when we have a dream and vision for our life.
Jesus commands His followers to be baptized in water, following His example found
in Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22, and John 1:29-34. In its simplest form,
Christianity is a continuous journey best summed up by the words of Jesus found 21 different
times in scripture: “Follow me.”
Notice
Matthew 16:24 NKJV
Revelation 22:17 ESV
Matthew 4:19 NKJV
Following Jesus will make you.
Following Jesus will humble you.
Mark 10:32 NKJV
Following Jesus will amaze you.
Matthew 28:19 ESV
Following Jesus will change you.
Water Baptism doesn’t make you a follower of Jesus, it’s a sign to the world that you have
decided to follow Jesus.
All of us were created by God to make a difference in the life of another person, and we believe He has a place for you where your unique abilities and passions can do just that. Our lives make more sense when we find, develop, and live out the purpose we were
created for. How might your life be different a year from today if you devoted the next 365 days to getting closer to God and walking the path that He has marked out for you?
Notes:
We are God’s elect, not His exempt.
Ecclesiastes 9:11 KJV
Matthew 5:45 KJV
Isaiah 53:5 NKJV
Psalm 147:3 NIV
We are not the product of our circumstances or intentions; we are the product of our decisions.
Proverbs 29:18 KJV, NIV
”Chazown” - a dream, a revelation, a vision.
A clear purpose for your life will bring focus, endurance, and fulfillment.
Ephesians 1:11 KJV
Psalm 16:5-6 NIV
What am I doing that I should not be doing?
Romans 12:2 NLT
What am I not doing that I should be doing?
James 4:17 NIV
One Year Challenge - Go all-in for one year:
● Invite Jesus to be Lord of your life.
● Get water baptized.
● Develop a daily walk with God.
● Read God’s Word daily.
● Attend church every week.
● Attend First Wednesday services.
● Take the Belong Class.
● Join a Small Group.
● Serve on the Dream Team.
● Attend events (serve if you can).
● Invite family and friends to church.
2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT
Right beneath the surface of your life are seeds waiting for resurrection.
This year at Thriving Hills Church, we are going to learn how we can thrive in our everyday life through a relationship with Jesus Christ that transforms our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Applying God’s Word to our disciplines, our relationships, and our everyday thought life really can have a transformational impact on our lives and even impact generations to come. Join us this month as we set out to Thrive in ‘25.
Notes:
John 12:24 ESV
John 12:25, 26 ESV
Ecclesiastes 9:11 ESV
Luke 9:23 ESV
Crowd: Come and see.
John 1:46 ESV
Family: Come and be a part.
“Whole family in heaven and earth” - Ephesians 3:15 KJV
Command to be water baptized - Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38 KJV
Disciple: Come and grow.
Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV
Minister: Come and serve.
John 15:8 ESV
Come and die.
We called to be more than believers. We are called to be becomers - becoming more like Jesus.
Pastor Josiah Beougher shares a timely message with us today.
Notes:
Jeremiah 32:6-10 ESV
The Steps of Faith:
Sign it
Seal it
Share it
Value it
Jeremiah 32:14-15 ESV
Future Favor is in the Field
"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." - Saint Augustine
Psalm 5:12 ESV
Merry Christmas from Thriving Hills!
Notes:
Matthew 1:18-23 ESV
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
Matthew 1:23 NLT
God didn’t shout His love from heaven, he showed it in the earth.
Life throws us all off-balance sometimes. Things happen seemingly out of nowhere that catch us off guard and we don’t know what to do. We don’t always have the answers we need, and that can leave us feeling very uneasy and looking for some stability. Whenever we are off-balance, we are most likely to fall; and you always fall in the direction you are leaning. So then the question becomes: Which way are you leaning?
Notes:
John 14:27 ESV
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
Matthew 25:23
Isaiah 26:3 NLT
High Road Leadership by John C. Maxwell
Mark 4:35-41
Have you ever thought about why we celebrate Christmas? Not what we celebrate, but why we celebrate the way we do? Everybody has their own traditions and different cultures do different things; but there is something powerful with a deeper meaning that happens when we celebrate something that can cause us to view life through a different lens.
Notes:
Isaiah 9:6 KJV
Joshua 4:6-7 KJV
Psalm 78:4 NLT
John 3:16 KJV
Jeremiah 31:3 NKJV
Tower of Babel - Genesis 11
“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” C.S. Lewis
Mark 10:15 KJV
Psalm 100:3 NKJV
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.
Notes:
Genesis 46:1-4 KJV
God knows you personally.
Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV
God knows His plans for you.
Psalm 37:23 KJV
God knows your purpose.
Psalm 34:8 KJV
The Bible has many accounts of instant healing. Perhaps you even know somebody who got a miraculous healing. But what about the rest of us? And what if the healing we need isn’t a physical healing, but something deeper; like a spiritual healing or an emotional healing? What if it's relational healing? And what if something you’ve been trying to fix can’t be fixed at all - what if it needs healed?
The miracles Jesus performed were often embedded with “Easter Eggs” to speak to us in layers and on different levels. Today we open up the healing of the crippled man at the Pool of Bethesda as we ask the question, “How do we heal?”
Notes:
It can’t be fixed - it has to be healed.
John 5:6-9 ESV
Jesus sees you.
John 1:48 KJV
Psalm 122:1 KJV
Psalm 56:8 KJV
Matthew 10:30 KJV
Jesus understands you.
When God asks you a question, it’s because He’s ready to do something in your life.
Mark 16:20 KJV
It’s time to do something about it.
We all have some “sacred cows” in our lives; belief systems and personal practices that may be irrational, outdated, unhelpful, and even counterproductive to what we say we’re trying to accomplish. Yet we cannot seem to let them go or even allow them to be challenged - even when holding on to them is hurting us. As we lead into Thanksgiving, we are looking at some common “thieves of thankfulness” that we probably aren’t even aware are impacting our lives more than we realize. Is Jesus important? Or is He first? Let’s tip some cows together.
Notes:
Psalm 97:12
25% of Americans believe the most important thing in life is to be happy.
God doesn’t want you to be happy when it causes you to do something sinful or unwise.
1 Peter 1:16 NIV
God doesn’t want you to be happy when it is only based on the things of this world.
1 John 2:15-17 NIV
God doesn’t want you to be happy; God wants you to be blessed.
Psalm 97:12
Hebrews 12:2
We all have some “sacred cows” in our lives; belief systems and personal practices that may be irrational, outdated, unhelpful, and even counterproductive to what we say we’re trying to accomplish. Yet we cannot seem to let them go or even allow them to be challenged - even when holding on to them is hurting us. As we lead into Thanksgiving, we are looking at some common “thieves of thankfulness” that we probably aren’t even aware are impacting our lives more than we realize. Is Jesus important? Or is He first? Let’s tip some cows together.
Notes:
Psalm 100:4
Romans 5:20
1 Samuel 15:11, 23
1 Peter 2:9
Ephesians 1:4
Jeremiah 29:11, 13
Proverbs 3:5
Proverbs 4:23
1 Samuel 16:7
Matthew 6:21
Matthew 5:8
Psalm 51:10
We all have some “sacred cows” in our lives; belief systems and personal practices that may be irrational, outdated, unhelpful, and even counterproductive to what we say we’re trying to accomplish. Yet we cannot seem to let them go or even allow them to be challenged - even when holding on to them is hurting us. As we lead into Thanksgiving, we are looking at some common “thieves of thankfulness” that we probably aren’t even aware are impacting our lives more than we realize. Is Jesus important? Or is He first? Let’s tip some cows together.
Notes:
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
Is Jesus important - or is He first?
Philippians 4:6 NLT
1 Thessalonians 5:18-19 ESV
Romans 14:23 NIV
Matthew 6:26 NIV
Matthew 6:33 NIV
It may never happen.
It may happen, and won’t be as bad as you thought. It may happen, and God will carry you through it. Give it to God!
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
Jeremiah 29:11 NLT
This week begins a brand new chapter in our story; the next season of our journey as a church and as a people. We believe that God has turned our hearts toward our community, and we are excited to share with you the new name and the vision that accompanies it.
New service times locally: 9:00 & 10:30 am Sundays, 6:30 pm First Wednesdays.
Why are we changing our service times?
We want to make it as convenient as possible for people to connect with God.
Why are we changing our name?
Because God is giving us new territory, and we will take it by storm. We are: Thriving Hills Church
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. Matthew 5:13 ESV
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 ESV
New website: thrivinghills.com
Psalm 92:12 ESV
Psalm 72:16 NLT
Ben Douglass quote from “History of Wayne County, Ohio, From the Days of the Pioneers and First Settlers to the Present Time,” published by Robert Douglass in 1878.
Matthew 15:13-14 ESV
Pastor Adam Drinkard shares with us a powerful and timely message about the importance of showing Biblical honor.
There is a world we cannot see that is influencing the world we can see; and in the Bible we see some pretty crazy things that low-key sound like science fiction. Are they real? What do they mean? And how can this help us in our lives today? This week, we look at a time and place when God used a Medium to literally bring a man back from the dead; and in this story we can find hope for our own lives.
Notes:
1 Samuel 28:3-19 NLT
1 Samuel 15:10-29 NLT
Abraham: Genesis 15
Romans 11:29 NCV
Isaiah 40:8 ESV
Psalm 119:89 ESV
Whenever you fight the will of God, you lose 100% of the time. Romans 13:1 NLT
John 10:18 KJV
Psalm 34:20 KJV
There is a world we can’t see that is influencing the world we can see. Supernatural forces are often working “behind the scenes” to orchestrate what happens in our everyday lives. How do we navigate that? Isn’t that kind of freaky? Am I safe? Today we look at one of the most overlooked and impossible moments in the Bible: when Jesus was crucified, and His death caused a bunch of dead people to come back to life, get up out of their tombs, and walk into the “holy city” of Jerusalem.
Notes:
Matthew 27:50-53 ESV
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT
John 10:10 NIV
John 2:19 KJV
Luke 19:40 KJV
Our darkest moments bring us closer to God.
“God is too good to be unkind and too wise to be mistaken. When we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.” (Charles Spurgeon)
Psalm 34:18
God prepares us in quiet places.
Luke 24:49 KJV
Joseph’s story found in Genesis chapters 37-50.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV
God sends us to people.
Romans 10:13-15 KJV
Colossians 2:13-15 KJV
”Without the resurrection, the cross is meaningless.” (Billy Graham)
There are some things in the Bible that we don’t understand; some things that don’t make sense to our natural minds. Many times, it is because there is a world we can’t see that is influencing the world we can see. When the spiritual world begins to impact our natural world, how do we navigate that?
Notes:
Genesis 3:1-5 ESV
Ephesians 6:12 ESV
John 10:10 KJV
Paul Harvey “If I were the devil” 1965 2 Peter 2:20 ESV
1 Peter 5:8 KJV
James 4:7 AMP
We need to follow the Holy Spirit instead of expecting the Holy Spirit to follow us. If we want God’s best for our lives, we need to learn what it means to be “led by the Spirit.”
Notes:
Romans 8:14 NLT
Galatians 5:16 NLT
John 16:7 ESV
God is in you!
John 14:26 ESV Helper, Teacher, Reminder
John 16:13 ESV Leader
We need to follow the Holy Spirit, instead of asking Him to follow us.
What does it mean to, “Be filled with the Holy Spirit?” What is “The baptism in the Holy Spirit?” It can be intriguing for some, but scary or weird to others. Pastor Chris shows us today how this baptism is all part of the Christian experience, and an important part of the journey God has for our lives.
Acts 2:38-39
Baptism in Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-27 Water Baptism - Acts 2:41, Matthew 10:32-33
Baptism in the Holy Spirit - Acts 8:14-17, 1 John 5:7-8 Be filled with the Spirit - Ephesians 5:18
Remove the barriers - Hebrews 12:1
Ask Him to fill you up - Luke 11:13
Receive Him by faith - Ezekiel 47:3-5, Hebrews 11:6 Relate to Him daily - 2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG
The Holy Spirit is a mystery to many people. He is often misunderstood, and poor representations and incorrect teachings have made some people want to avoid Him altogether. But scripture is clear that we don’t even have the full picture of God without Him. Who is the Holy Spirit? What does he do? In this message, we look at the spiritual gifts He gives and what they mean for our lives today.
We open up a month-long journey of getting to know the third person of the Trinity, God the Holy Spirit, and how He wants to work in our lives. We are going all in to get past our fears, prejudices, and misperceptions, and see what the Bible actually has to say about the One scripture refers to as our Helper, Comforter, and Advocate.
Notes:
We need the Holy Spirit.
Acts 19:1-2
A breath of fresh air.
Ruwach, Pneuma
Wind is unseen - John 14:16-17 Wind is unpredictable - John 3:8 Wind is powerful - Acts 1:8
Wind is refreshing - 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 Ephesians 4:30 MSG
Let go of fears and misperceptions - Proverbs 3:5
Go all in - Jeremiah 29:13
Develop an intimate friendship with the Holy Spirit - 2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG God the Father loves me.
God the Son saves me.
God the Holy Spirit is with me.
Our Founding Pastor, John Boggs, joins us with some encouragement today that God is still God, no matter what.
God desires more than just followers; He invites us to meet with Him face to face, as a close friend. Sometimes He may feel distant and far away, but we can draw close to Him and experience His presence in a new and fresh way.
Message notes:
Exodus 33:11
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 MSG
1 John 3:8
Isaiah’s Encounter - Isaiah 6:1-3
God wants to reveal Himself to me.
Isaiah 6:4-7
God wants to cleanse me. Isaiah 6:8-9
God wants to use me.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When God touches me, He’ll use me to touch others.
God desires more than just followers; He invites us to meet with Him face to face, as a close friend. Sometimes He may feel distant and far away, but we can draw close to Him and experience His presence in a new and fresh way.
Message notes:
Exodus 33:11
1 Corinthians 2:3-5
Moses’ Encounter - Exodus 3:1-6.
Who am I? (Exodus 3:11-12) Overcome Condemnation (Titus 3:4-5)
Who are you? (Exodus 3:13-14) Overcome Doubt (Jeremiah 32:17 NASB) What if they? (Exodus 4:1) Overcome Fear (Romans 1:16)
I have never. (Exodus 4:10-12) Overcome Reluctance (Hebrews 11:6) What is the Holy Spirit saying to you?
God desires more than just followers; He invites us to meet with Him face to face, as a close friend. Sometimes He may feel distant and far away, but we can draw close to Him and experience His presence in a new and fresh way.
Message notes:
Exodus 33:11
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 MSG
We need power, not just words. (1 Corinthians 2:3-5)
We need an encounter, not just an explanation. (John 9:17, 25) We need presence, not just practice. (Romans 8:11 MSG) Jacob’s Encounter - Genesis 32:24-30.
A new strength. (Isaiah 40:29-30)
A new identity. (Isaiah 43:18-19, Revelation 2:17)
A new joy. (Psalm 16:11)
Charlene Bunner, Jaakob Hunt, Mike Calavitta, Alan Bostick, and GiaVanni Himes share with us today from the book of 1 John.
There is a lot to smile about if you know where to look, and we can help you find it! Don’t let the cares of life keep you from enjoying life. Stay joyful, stay hopeful - Stay Positive!
Cynicism and negativity may be the easy choice sometimes, but they’re never the best choice. If you seek what is good, you’ll see what is good. God is a positive God and He speaks the language of faith - the language of optimism and positivity. This is the way we were created to think and to speak. So, let’s embrace the way in which we were created and Stay Positive! This series will help us learn to be thankful and excited in spite of all the negativity we experience in this world.
Message Notes:
The same principles that govern money also govern faith.
Matthew 17:24-27
Ephesians 1:3
Genesis 2:15 ESV
Lack and abundance don’t start in our finances, but in our mind. Scarcity Mindset: There is not enough.
Haggai 1:6 ESV
Abundance Mindset: There is more than enough. Ephesians 3:20 NASB
The Tension: John 10:10 2 Kings 4:1-2 ESV
Don’t diminish what you have. 2 Kings 4:2 ESV
God often does the extravagant through what seems insignificant. 2 Kings 4:3-5 NABRE
John 3:27
God’s abundance follows faith.
Fruitfulness is my job, multiplication is God’s job. 2 Kings 4:6-7 NABRE
I have the faith to pour because I belong to the God of more! 2 Corinthians 9:11 NABRE
Description:
There is a lot to smile about if you know where to look, and we can help you find it! Don’t let the cares of life keep you from enjoying life. Stay joyful, stay hopeful - Stay Positive!
Cynicism and negativity may be the easy choice sometimes, but they’re never the best choice. If you seek what is good, you’ll see what is good. God is a positive God and He speaks the language of faith - the language of optimism and positivity. This is the way we were created to think and to speak. So, let’s embrace the way in which we were created and Stay Positive! This series will help us learn to be thankful and excited in spite of all the negativity we experience in this world.
Message Notes:
Two types of people in the world:
Those who let their circumstances influence their enthusiasm. Those who use their enthusiasm to influence their circumstances.
En Theos: In God, filled with God.
1 Corinthians 15:57-58 ESV
It’s not what you do that makes it meaningful, it’s who you do it for. 1 Samuel 17:45-46 ESV
David trusted God daily. David walked with God daily. David worshiped God daily.
Psalm 51:10 NLT Psalm 51:12 NLT
Revelation 2:4-5 NIV Colossians 3:23 NIV
Our Father’s Day message!
There is a lot to smile about if you know where to look, and we can help you find it! Don’t let the cares of life keep you from enjoying life. Stay joyful, stay hopeful - Stay Positive!
Cynicism and negativity may be the easy choice sometimes, but they’re never the best choice. If you seek what is good, you’ll see what is good. God is a positive God and He speaks the language of faith - the language of optimism and positivity. This is the way we were created to think and to speak. So, let’s embrace the way in which we were created and Stay Positive! This series will help us learn to be thankful and excited in spite of all the negativity we experience in this world.
Message Notes:
2 Corinthians 7:5-6 NLT
Encourage others daily. Job 16:2-5 NLT Proverbs 18:21 KJV Hebrews 3:13 NIV
Encourage others spiritually. Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Encourage yourself in the Lord. 1 Samuel 30:6 NLT
1 Samuel 30:6 KJV
1 Samuel 30:8 NLT
Positive words are hard to remember, negative words are hard to forget. What the devil says doesn’t matter, and what God says doesn’t change.
There is a lot to smile about if you know where to look, and we can help you find it! Don’t let the cares of life keep you from enjoying life. Stay joyful, stay hopeful - Stay Positive!
Cynicism and negativity may be the easy choice sometimes, but they’re never the best choice. If you seek what is good, you’ll see what is good. God is a positive God and He speaks the language of faith - the language of optimism and positivity. This is the way we were created to think and to speak. So, let’s embrace the way in which we were created and Stay Positive! This series will help us learn to be thankful and excited in spite of all the negativity we experience in this world.
Message Notes:
3 reasons I’m not focused on self-confidence: My heart is deceitful - Jeremiah 17:9
My flesh is weak - Matthew 26:41
My behavior is inconsistent - Romans 7:15
1 Corinthians 10:12 MSG Psalm 57:7 NLT
My God is Always For Me Romans 8:31 NLT Hebrews 10:35 NLT
My God Always Helps Me Hebrews 13:5-6 NIV Psalm 46:1 NIV
My God is Still Working In Me Philippians 1:6 NIV Colossians 1:4-5 NLT
There is a lot to smile about if you know where to look, and we can help you find it! Don’t let the cares of life keep you from enjoying life. Stay joyful, stay hopeful - Stay Positive!
Cynicism and negativity may be the easy choice sometimes, but they’re never the best choice. If you seek what is good, you’ll see what is good. God is a positive God and He speaks the language of faith - the language of optimism and positivity. This is the way we were created to think and to speak. So, let’s embrace the way in which we were created and Stay Positive! This series will help us learn to be thankful and excited in spite of all the negativity we experience in this world.
Message Notes:
Proverbs 15:13 ESV
positivepsychology.com (“gratitude”)
Philippians 4:4-6 ESV
Every good thing I have comes from God. Philippians 4:7 ESV
I won’t let what I want rob me of what I have. Know Jesus, Know Peace / No Jesus, No Peace Matthew 12:34, Luke 6:45
Philippians 4:8 NLT
I will turn every blessing I have into praise.
There is a lot to smile about if you know where to look, and we can help you find it! Don’t let the cares of life keep you from enjoying life. Stay joyful, stay hopeful - Stay Positive!
Cynicism and negativity may be the easy choice sometimes, but they’re never the best choice. If you seek what is good, you’ll see what is good. God is a positive God and He speaks the language of faith - the language of optimism and positivity. This is the way we were created to think and to speak. So, let’s embrace the way in which we were created and Stay Positive! This series will help us learn to be thankful and excited in spite of all the negativity we experience in this world.
Message Notes:
We’re not optimistic that nothing bad will ever happen; we’re optimistic because we trust in God no matter what happens.
Romans 8:28 NIV
Proverbs 11:27 NLT
1 John 4:4
Romans 8:32
Philippians 4:13
Romans 8:18 NIV
My future victory is greater than my present pain.
Jesus is praying for you!
Romans 8:34
Romans 8:38-39
Hebrews 12:2
We will never get our priorities right until we get the principles right. The issue is not as much organization as it is spiritual. In this message, Pastor Chris gives spiritual insights into a very common problem for people of all walks of life.
Notes:
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
John 6:38 ESV
Choose mission over position. Exodus 17:9-13 NIV
Matthew 6:33 ESV
Choose motivation over expectation. Matthew 22:34-38 MSG
Luke 6:31-32 MSG
Choose legacy over temporary. Hebrews 11:13-16 MSG
Psalm 84:10
Would you be willing to ask God to uncover the things that are potentially holding you back in life - the things that perhaps are keeping you from trusting Him more? We know that prayer moves the heart of God, but some prayers move Him more than others do. Bold prayers, daring prayers - prayers that give God space to do what He wants to do, and exposes us to the need to grow and mature - are the kind of prayers that will move God and move you, as well. If you’re ready to see God work in your life, then praying prayers like David prayed in Psalm 139 - “Search Me, God” - will set you on a course to see God do amazing things in your life.
Notes:
2 Samuel 16:5-13 NLT
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
Search My Heart
Jeremiah 17:9 NLT
Reveal My Fears
1 John 4:8 KJV
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Uncover My Sins
Lead Me
Have you ever heard it said, “It will all turn out the way it’s supposed to?” Or maybe, “Everything will work itself out?” While these can be (to a certain degree) comforting, sometimes we forget that we have a role to play in the outcome of events here on earth. Other times, maybe something has happened that has caused us to stop praying, or to stop believing that our prayers will have any effect on the outcome of the things we are concerned about. Maybe we just believe that God won’t answer a prayer from us.
Here at Christian Harbor Church, we believe that prayer changes things. We do believe that ultimately God is in control, and He has the best plan; but we also believe that God wants us to partner with Him in bringing heaven to earth. It is God’s will that we pray for the sick. It is God’s will that we pray for miracles. It is God’s will that we pray for wisdom, direction, and discernment. It may not always turn out the way we hoped, but when we pray, we can move God to act in supernatural ways. Could it be that sometimes things don’t happen because God’s people simply don’t pray?
Notes:
Jesus prayed not to go to the cross - Matthew 26:39
Lamb slain from foundation of earth - Rev. 13:8, 1 Peter 1:19-20 Isaiah 38:1-8
Exodus 32:1-14
Matthew 9:22
Matthew 9:29
Mark 10:52
Mark 7:29
Matthew 13:58
2 Chronicles 7:14
Matthew 6:8
Proverbs 13:12
Joshua 10:12-13
3 Forms of Pride:
Independence, Arrogance, Insecurity.
God doesn’t listen to facts, God listens to faith!
Prayer is not about our ability to ask, but God’s ability to answer.
Are you convinced that the Bible is true? Do you have doubts? Do you have questions? There are those who think that questioning the validity of the Bible is heresy; that you must be evil, arrogant, or rebellious. But even Jesus said that his student Thomas was “blessed” because he had seen proof that Jesus was who He said He was.
God is not offended by our questions. He welcomes them, actually. He doesn’t answer them every time (and that can be annoying); but God is not bothered or threatened by our questions. And if the Bible really has all the answers, shouldn’t it stand up to our questions? The answer is an emphatic, “Yes!” How do you know if you can trust the Bible? Listen in to find out!
Notes:
How do you know if you can trust the Bible?
The Bible is historically accurate.
Pontius Pilate Dedication Stone.
Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Bible is scientifically accurate.
“Science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind.” Albert Einstein Isaiah 40:22
Job 26:7
Job 36:27-28
Leviticus 13:4
The Bible is prophetically accurate.
353 Messianic prophecies.
40 different writers, 3 different languages, 3 different continents, over 1,500 years. The Bible has survived all opposition.
This is our Water Baptism service, where we celebrate being buried with Christ in baptism and being raised to a new life in Him! For more information on how you can be baptized, call 330.749.3607 and leave your name and phone number and we will contact you.
Obeying.
Matthew 28:19 ESV
Acts 2:41 NLT
Acts 8:12 ESV
Acts 2:38 NIV
You don’t have to understand to be obedient.
Proclaiming.
Baptism doesn’t make us saved, it’s a sign that we are saved. Celebrating!
Romans 6:3 MSG
Followers of Jesus were never meant to live in this world without the everyday help of The Holy Spirit. Often misunderstood, The Holy Spirit did not come merely for certain outward expressions or manifestations that amaze people; but He came to change our hearts toward other people and God. He came to show us what we cannot see on our own. Simply put, The Holy Spirit has come to help us.
Notes:
Acts 2:1-12 NIV
John 14:16 KJV
The Holy Spirit comforts us.
John 14:27 NIV
John 14:26 NIV
The Holy Spirit reveals truth to us. Acts 1:8 NIV
The Holy Spirit uses us.
John 16:8 NIV
The Holy Spirit convicts us. Psalm 139:23-24 NIV
John 16:13 NIV
The Holy Spirit guides us.
Isaiah 30:21 NIV
These days it’s easy to see life the way we want to. We can filter our images, pick the news we want to hear, and listen only to the viewpoints that agree with us. When we do that, we start to distort our view of the world. The same thing can happen to our view of God. We reshape our perception of Him into what we want to believe, or what we want to think about others. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God and His plan for us, and it doesn’t always sound like what you may think.
Notes: (All scripture references NIV)
Luke 23:32-33
Luke 23:39-43
Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good, Jesus came to make dead people alive. Ephesians 2:3-5
Ephesians 2:8-9
Psalm 103:10-12
These days it’s easy to see life the way we want to. We can filter our images, pick the news we want to hear, and listen only to the viewpoints that agree with us. When we do that, we start to distort our view of the world. The same thing can happen to our view of God. We reshape our perception of Him into what we want to believe, or what we want to think about others. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God and His plan for us, and it doesn’t always sound like what you may think.
Notes: (All scripture references NIV)
John 16:20-22
John 16:33
Your troubles prove your faith. They reveal the strength of your faith.
1 Peter 1:6
Be flexible.
Have an extended support system.
Hold on and let it pass.
A faith that has been tested is a faith that can be trusted.
James 1:2-4
Just because you have a bad day doesn’t mean you have a bad life or you are a bad person. It means you had a bad day, and tomorrow can be better.
1 John 5:4-5
These days it’s easy to see life the way we want to. We can filter our images, pick the news we want to hear, and listen only to the viewpoints that agree with us. When we do that, we start to distort our view of the world. The same thing can happen to our view of God. We reshape our perception of Him into what we want to believe, or what we want to think about others. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God and His plan for us, and it doesn’t always sound like what you may think.
Message notes:
John 8:2-11 NIV
Matthew 7:11 NIV
Holiness isn’t the opposite of happiness; it is the pathway to it!
Psalm 16:11 NASB
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV
Every temptation is an invitation to draw closer to God.
These days it’s easy to see life the way we want to. We can filter our images, pick the news we want to hear, and listen only to the viewpoints that agree with us. When we do that, we start to distort our view of the world. The same thing can happen to our view of God. We reshape our perception of Him into what we want to believe, or what we want to think about others. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God and His plan for us, and it doesn’t always sound like what you may think.
Message notes:
Matthew 6:9-12, 14-15 ESV
Our relationships with God’s other children mean a lot to Him.
Matthew 5:23-24 ESV
“Our relationship with God is based on grace. Our relationship with people is based on trust.” Pastor Chris Hodges
Matthew 5:43-44 ESV
Colossians 3:13 NIV
“In the shadow of my hurt, forgiveness feels like a decision to reward my enemy. But in the shadow of the cross, forgiveness is merely a gift from one undeserving soul to another.” Pastor Andy Stanley
What’s Your Headline?
It can be hard to sift through all the information at our fingertips, and filter it in a healthy way. Is it even possible to stay positive in today’s culture? This message reminds us that even in a complicated world, we can shift our perspective. Even if we can’t change our circumstances, we can change our perspective. What’s your headline?
Notes:
Colossians 3:1-3
You can’t always change your circumstances, but you can change your perspective.
Numbers 13:27-33
Philippians 1:12-14
1 Kings 19:1-7, 2 Kings 2:11
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Notes:
“The purpose of the rules is to bring you in to the game.” Richard Foster
“When you know who you are, then you’ll know what to do.” Craig Groeschel
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. Psalm 24:1-2 NLT
Stewardship: The careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care. (Merriam-Webster)
Yes, I was born in guilt, in sin, from the moment my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5 CEB
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. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 MSG
Cultural Narrative - “My sexuality is a core component of who I am as an individual.”
Purity Narrative - “Maturity means saving sex for marriage.”
Gospel Narrative - “Your sexuality matters because it is a metaphor for God’s love for you.”
Pray.
Fast.
Set Boundaries.
Sex is reserved for marriage.
Marriage is biblically defined as a covenant relationship between one man and one woman.
Anything else is categorically condemned as fornication in the Bible.
We all have sin in our lives.
We are all imperfect.
No sin is worse than another.
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins.
We are commanded by scripture to love each other as we love ourselves.
Jesus wants us to thrive in life, and steward our lives well.
Revival starts in our min
Luke 15:11-24 NKJV
He reflected.
Jesus wants to heal us through moments of silence and solitude.
Reflecting causes us to realize things that are alarming. It causes a spiritual awakening.
Revival starts with reflection.
He returned.
People who want to live wild will always walk away from things that are run well.
The risk of returning is not greater than the reward of returning.
He repented.
Repentance is a change of mind.
The enemy is after your identity.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Psalm 139:14
He was restored.
Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV
Joel 2:25 NKJV
Psalm 51:12 NKJV
Psalm 30:5 NKJV
He responded.
You know you’re revived when you’re responsive to His Word.
He rejoiced.
People who haven’t experienced what you have experienced will always reject the way you rejoice.
Romans 12:15 NIV
Notes:
Luke 21:33 ESV
The family is God’s idea.
The family prospers under God’s design.
Ephesians 5:21-23 NLT
Galatians 3:28 ESV
Genesis 1:27 ESV
Ephesians 5:25 ESV
Priest
Prophet
Provider
Protector
Ephesians 6:1-3 NLT
God invites us all through the Bible to ask Him for things in prayer, but sometimes we have a hard time asking. Sometimes we ask but end up disappointed when it seems like God doesn’t answer. The truth is, no matter where we are in our faith journey, and even if we haven’t yet committed to following Him, God welcomes and even desires our prayers; and He is willing to answer. How do we make the ask?
Message notes:
Matthew 7:7-8
Our view of God affects our approach to God.
1 John 5:14-15
1 Samuel 16:7
Luke 18:35-43
Be passionate (Luke 18:38)
Matthew 6:7-8
Be persistent (Luke 18:39)
Luke 11:5-8
Matthew 15:21-28
Be precise (Luke 18:41)
Proverbs 12:18
“You cannot move in life without aiming at a [specific] direction. Random wandering will not move you forward … If you speak carefully and precisely, you can make order from the chaos, develop a new goal, and navigate to it.” -Jordan Peterson
Be positive (Luke 18:41)
Mark 10:50
Psalm 100:4
Isaiah 26:3
Be praiseful (Luke 18:43)
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In the Pixar film “Up,” we are introduced to a slogan stating: “ADVENTURE IS OUT THERE!” For many of us, we truly believe that - that real adventure is out “There” somewhere - while we are stuck right “Here,” in the throes of everyday, normal life. We can spend an inordinate amount of time wishing away the one day we have been given in favor of fantasizing about what could be in some grand tomorrow; while important and often critical moments pass us by.
What if the work is the reward? What if the prize is in the process? What if we learned to be grateful in the everyday grind of life?
When it comes to our finances, or financial resources, many of us tend to hang on tight to everything we have for fear of being without. But Scripture teaches something different - something greater - for our lives. What if instead of hanging on to what we have, we release it so God could give us more? And what if it wasn't just about money, but about our faith? What if us going to new levels in other areas of our lives was bound up in the truth that what we keep is all we have; but whatever we give, God multiples?
In a lot of ways, we live in a culture of self-promotion. From influencers and celebrities to businesses and ministries, we spend a lot of time and effort (not to mention resources) trying to “get noticed” for what we do and become great at it. What we often fail to realize is, that is exactly the opposite of what Jesus taught His followers to do. In this message, we will learn that when you serve more, you take less. When you give more, you need less. When you thank more, you want less. In other words, when there’s more of God, you’re selfless.
We are starting the new year off looking at how we can take the focus off of us, and put the focus on God and others. Many people will make New Years Resolutions, as a way to improve themselves; but it is actually in denying ourselves that God can do so much more in our lives. This week, we look at the importance of being bold in sharing our faith - even though for most of us, it is not easy.
Pastor Adam Drinkard is our guest speaker for First Wednesday. He brings a great message about moving forward in our purpose in 2024.
It takes faith beyond ourselves to believe we can do incredible things, and it takes a power beyond ourselves to do them. In the right hands, the ordinary can be extraordinary. Check out this message from New Year’s Eve 2023.
Have you ever had a moment become a meaningful memory? It might not have seemed significant at the time, but now you hold the memory close to your heart. In this Christmas message, we’re learning how to recognize and embrace treasured moments.
God chose shepherds to share the news that Jesus was born. Can you imagine how they felt? Humbled, inadequate, and insecure. How would you feel? What if God asked you to do something really big? Lean in to this message, and together, let’s continue to learn how to turn our unexpected moments into Holy Moments.
Have you ever had to let go of something you didn’t want to? It can be scary because you don’t have control anymore. In Proverbs 3:5, the Bible tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart, and lean not on our own understanding. But how is that even possible? Let’s find out what moments of surrender really look like; and how we can turn unexpected moments (even challenging ones) into Holy Moments.
“I never thought this would happen … I have no idea what to do next.” Have you ever had a moment like that? A moment where you’re face to face with a choice that feels bigger than you, and how you respond might change your life. How do you know what to do? In this series, we are learning together how to turn unexpected moments into Holy Moments.
Many families are broken. Heck, many people and lives are broken. It’s a stark reality of the world we live in. But the way we are right now is not the way we always have to be. How we are is not how we are meant to stay. Did you know that God’s response to our brokenness is not the same as our response? See God’s plan for restoring your family - your life - revealed way, way back in the garden of Eden in this message.
Family life gets complicated. Things happen and unseen forces start to deteriorate the harmony of our home. We find challenges to our peace, joy, and contentment. Our relationships suffer. If left unchecked, these things can cause serious problems and even destroy a family - so what are we to do? Pastor Chris talks about this today.
We believe that every family - no matter what the family dynamic looks like - matters to God. In fact, the family unit is one of the very first things God established; before He even created a nation or a church. The family existed even before sin. This world today is challenging the family unit in ways we have never seen before, and we all find ourselves trying to navigate the ups and downs, ins and outs of family life on a daily basis. What does the Bible have to say about it? What does the Bible teach that can help us? And if my family looks different than families in the Bible, can that even help me? Pastor Chris opens up about that in this message.
At Christian Harbor Church, we believe in being generous of spirit. We believe that we have been blessed to be a blessing. We believe that once we have been rescued, it’s our calling to rescue others. That those who have been helped should pay it forward and help others. It’s not merely a good idea; it’s not just a scriptural principle; it’s the heart of God.
Sometimes life gives us very poor options. We don’t always have an obvious choice. What can we do in those moments to make the best possible choice - the right choice - when we’re not sure what to do?
We all deal with stress, and right now, there are many things in our world that are greatly adding to that stress. Why is that a problem? What can we do about it? How can we learn to manage stress in a way that we don’t take it out on other people? The Apostle Paul was on Death Row, in prison, awaiting execution; and yet he greatly encouraged and empowered others to live a life of joy, peace, and faith outside of his own limitations. How could he do that, and what can we learn from what he had to say? We look into that today as we learn some practical handles for dealing with stress.
Are you feeling stuck? Is it time to make the next move, but you’re not sure what that move is? There are certain things that we can do to position ourselves for success in the next season, whatever that season brings. In a callback to his initial message to the church in 2021, Pastor Chris delivers a word that outlines the next step.
LaShayna McCourt from Well of Hope in Canton, Ohio, joins us with a great message for our First Wednesday service.
Pastor Lonnie Keene from StrongPoint Church in Columbus, Ohio, joins us this morning with a timely word.
Work is a fact of life. Nothing gets built, accomplished, or served without a team of people working together to make it happen. But wherever you have people, there will be problems. Wherever something is being produced, there will be conflict and pressure. How can we navigate the problems, conflicts, and pressures that come with our necessary work? Pastor Chris addresses that topic in this message.
The concept of friendship is a strong theme in scripture. From Abram being called, “a friend of God,” to Jesus calling His disciples friends, we see it throughout scripture. In fact, Jesus said that the entire Old Testament law and all the words of the prophets could be summed up this way: Love God (like a close friend), and love people like you love yourself. In this week’s message, Pastor Chris looks at the story of a man whose four friends made a huge difference in his life, and what lessons we can pull from it for ourselves.
Family life can get messy. Family relationships can be hard to navigate sometimes. Using the story of “The Prodigal Son” found in Luke chapter 15, Pastor Chris addresses some of the common problems we all deal with, and gives us insight to help us navigate them in a way that can help us heal, grow closer, and move forward.
God is not afraid or put off by how messy our life gets sometimes. In fact, He wants nothing more than to help us everyday, and to be a big part of our lives and a stabilizing force that keeps us centered every day. God cares about our hopes, our dreams, our goals, and our lives both now and in the future.
God is calling us in our lives to be more than mere consumers of His goodness. He wants us to participate in what He is doing and to be contributors to the cause. He wants us to give, because truly, it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” But what is He calling us to bring to the table? Find out in this series, as we find out what it means to “Be a Bringer.”
Spiritual Warfare is a common theme throughout the Bible, and it is one that no person can be exempt from. But what is it? What is it not? With so many teachings from one extreme to the other, how can we benefit from what scripture teaches about this warfare in a way that benefits our lives today; even if we aren’t an uber-spiritual person or charismatic? Check out this timely teaching.
Many of us desire to hear from God when making decisions - where to go to college, whether to take an opportunity or not; even when deciding on buying a certain car or getting married. Some of us find ourselves in moments where we need to respond properly under pressure; but we’re not always sure our first response would be the best response. Having that “life hack” of hearing from the One Who knows all and sees all would be a tremendous advantage. But how can we hear from God? And how can we be sure it’s Him?
How important is it to let the Bible define your values? Is it necessary to encounter the Holy Spirit in order to serve God fully? Do you really have to go to church in order to be a Christian? There are a lot of philosophies, thoughts, and ideologies in the world today about what it means to be a Christian, and what the core values really are. In places where we should be united and agree, many of us are more divided than ever before. But what if we didn’t back down or shy away from a culture that challenges our faith? And what if we did it in such a way that actually showed who Jesus is, and not just the version of Jesus that we prefer?
You are not victim of your circumstances or limitations. You are not meant to be a hostage to someone else’s opinion. You do not have to settle for less than what you need, or even dare to dream for. You were created for more.
Has God called you? How do you move forward in that calling? How can your calling help you move your life forward? For some, they just seem to slip into their calling naturally; while others struggle to understand their own calling. But your calling is not as mysterious as it seems - in fact, it can be quite practical.
Following our Child Dedication service, we look at the story of Hannah and Samuel for inspiration in how we navigate believing for more while we are still disappointed with our current situation. Frustrations can spill over in many areas of life, so how do we navigate that? Where can we draw inspiration and encourage from? And what does God say to us in these most challenging moments?
God requires us to have faith. But how can you be sure your faith is in the right things? How can you be sure your faith is working? Our faith meant for more than just getting us to heaven; but God gave us faith to bring heaven to earth. In order for heaven to come to earth, it has to come through us.
“What’s Next?”
Wherever you are in life, you have a purpose. Wherever you are on your spiritual
journey, you are not alone; and the good news is, the journey has been marked out for
you. While it can be overwhelming when you’re uncertain about your spiritual
purpose, God has certainly created you for a specific reason; and it’s time to step into
it.
Today's message looks at Luke 14:12-24 and asks the question, "Who is God calling?" Is God calling you? Is God calling someone around you? What does He want, and how can we know? Sometimes, we make the complicated things simple and the simple things complicated. Fortunately, the Word of God is clear on this matter.
Check out this message and get a fresh perspective on who God really wants to reach, how He wants to reach them, and why that should matter to us today.
Do you need to “forgive God?” Even though we technically can’t forgive God (since He never sins or does wrong) many of us are disappointed In God, that He didn’t do something He could have done but didn’t. We don’t understand. It hurts. And the more we think about it, the worse it gets.
Are you allowed to unload on God? Can you really be real with Him about how you feel? And if so, then what? Check out this message.
Are you having a hard time forgiving yourself? We often hold ourselves to higher
standard than we hold anyone else to, and a higher standard than God holds us to. If
Jesus paid the price for all our sins (past, present, and future), then why can we not
forgive ourselves? Perhaps the better question is: How can we forgive ourselves?
Scripture has some powerful answers. Check it out in today’s message.
Unforgiveness is very common in our world today; it’s also the source of a lot of pain,
anxiety, bitterness, and even physical sickness. We could be blocking the very flow of
God – heaven’s answer to our biggest needs – by simply holding on to something that
is too painful to carry but too hard to put down. Just let it go.
Mark 2:1-4a After some days Jesus went back to the city of Capernaum. Then news got around that He was home.Soon many people gathered there. There was no more room, not even at the door. He spoke the Word of God to them. Four men came to Jesus carrying a man who could not get near Jesus because of so many people.… (NLV)
Life has let downs.
Why? Because we live in a sinful world and none of us are perfect. Deal with the Disappointment.
Confront your disappointments.
Mark 2:4bThey made a hole in the roof of the house over where Jesus stood. Then they let down the bed with the sick man on it. (NLV)
Let down your let down.
If I raise my thoughts Altitude, it will change my Attitude.
Mark 2:5 When Jesus saw their faith, He spoke to the sick man, "Son, your sins are forgiven." (NLV)
Jesus not only wants to deal with whats on you but He wants to deal with what’s in you.
Mark 2:11-12 "I say to you, 'Get up. Take your bed and go to your home'." At once the sick man got up and took his bed and went away. (NLV)
Keep Staying in the Presence of Jesus.
Psalms 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (NKJV)
Taking time every day to celebrate the good things – to thank God for life, breath, and
the hope of a new day; as well as any good thing we can find to be thankful for – are
key not only to our spiritual health, but to our mental and emotional health as well.
Are we letting the circumstances and problems we face get in the way of being
thankful? And if we are, how can we get past that and experience the healing that God
promises?
In this message, we will look at the common obstacles to celebrating our blessings, as
well as what God’s Word says about how we overcome them. God’s plan for your life
is total wellness – complete wholeness. Take a journey with us as we learn how to get
there.
No doubt you know some of “those people” – the ones who know everything about
everything. They can be condescending and arrogant, rude and even downright mean.
From social media comments and posts to rude neighbors and the person who cut you
off in traffic, there are plenty of opportunities to be offended every day.
But what if we decided to respond differently to those around us? How can you stop
being offended by difficult people – and how can you know if you are difficult people?
Let’s find out together in this message.
2 Peter 1:4 NIV
A promise is an offer with guaranteed results.
God keeps His promises.
Hebrews 6:17-18 MSG
Know His promises.
1 Chronicles 17:19 NIV
You can take hold of the promises when you know what He promised.
Understand His promises.
Numbers 23:19 NLT
When you understand that His purpose is good, you can trust that His process is good.
Pursue His promises.
Psalm 119:140, 148 NIV
If you know the promises, understand the promises, and pursue the promises, you will
receive the promises.
Romans 8:11 NLT
The resurrection of Jesus gives you the power to close the gap between where you are
and where you want to be.
1 Peter 2:21 MSG
Romans 8:28 NLT
There is no pain that His purpose cannot redeem.
There is no confusion that His presence cannot calm.
John 11:25-26
There is no death that His power cannot resurrect.
Ephesians 2:8 ESV
He said you can come.
2 Kings 4:1-7
Think Inside the Box
Embrace Your Limitations
Change Your Mindset
Start Pouring!
Romans 6:23
Revival starts in the hearts of people who turn to God.
John 14:12
Greater is already inside of you. You just have to unlock it.
2 Kings 3:1-17
Only God can send water, but He expects us to dig the ditches.
Dream big.
Hebrews 11:13.
Start Small.
Keep Digging.
If you will give Him empty places, God will give you water.
1 Kings 19:19-21
“Your greater life doesn’t begin with building your dream house. It begins with burning
down your old house.” Pastor Steven Furtick
Cut your ties to the ordinary.
“Good is the enemy of great.” Jim Collins
Understand that we don’t get to know all the details.
If you’ll go, God will show.
A word is enough.
Five of our in-house speakers sharing for 5 minutes each.
Charlene, GiaVanni, Larry, Jaakob, Alan.
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Timothy 2:13
Hebrews 6:17
James 1:14-15
Move the line.
Magnify the cost.
Numbers 32:23
Plan your escape.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Matthew 14:25-33
Romans 12:3
Talk to God.
Walk with God.
Act on God’s Word.
Don’t trust your feelings.
Resolutions don’t work if your values don’t change.
Psalm 90:12
Matthew 6:19-21
Whatever is FIRST influences the rest.
Priority sets the culture.
Matthew 18:18
Podcast notes:
2 Samuel 7:8-9, 11-13, 16.
God does not speak to your failure, but your purpose and redemption.
God’s purpose is not predicated on our perfection, His plan is only contingent on our
obedience.
Exodus 20:8,10
Genesis 2:3
Mark 2:27
90% with God’s blessing is greater than 100% without God’s blessing.
The Daniel Fast – Daniel 10:3
Psalm 34:1-4
Matthew 6:6, 17-18
1 Peter 5:6
“Exalt” – Hebrew “ruwm” (Strong’s #7311) Greek “hupsoo” (Strong’s #5312)
Psalm 65:11
Exodus 13:1-2, 12-15
Malachi 3:8
Proverbs 3:9-10
Exodus 23:19
Genesis 4:3-4
Leviticus 27:30
Readings from the KJV, NLT, and NKJV
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree was written in 1958 by Johnny Marks.
Luke 2:16-20
Romans 12:24
Malachi 3:10
When we couldn’t get to God, God came down to us.
Find Jesus
It is less important HOW we celebrate, and more important WHY we celebrate, WHAT we
celebrate, and WHO we celebrate.
Share Jesus
1 John 4:12
Matthew 25:40
Celebrate Jesus
Philippians 4:4
“White Christmas” written by Irving Berlin in 1942.
Luke 2:15
Matthew 18:3-4
By coming into agreement with God’s Word, there is great power available for our lives.
The battle is for your words.
Psalm 119:105
Jeremiah 17:9
You don’t have to feel God to experience God.
James 4:8
God has already done His part – now we have to do ours.
Why Did God Choose You?
Luke 2:8-14
Matthew 22:14
God knows the future.
God knows your past, but He speaks to your future.
God sees your heart.
“The whosoever will are the elect. The whosoever won’t are the non-elect.” D.L. Moody
God chooses the servants.
God doesn’t need what I have, but what I have needs His blessing.
“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” written by Kim Gannon and Walter Kent, and recorded by
Bing Crosby and John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra in 1943.
Luke 2:1-7
The Holy Spirit will lead you in ALL THINGS. John 14:26
The Holy Spirit will lead you with PEACE. John 14:27
The Holy Spirit will lead you like a TRAFFIC LIGHT.
Isaiah 50:6
Matthew 27:29-30
Acknowledge how you feel.
Confront the shame.
Hebrews 12:2
Remember your values.
When you have direction you can resist distraction.
Let it go.
Romans 1:17
God is still in control of all the spinning!
We are meant to be part of something bigger.
Psalm 133:1-3, John 13:35
There is strength in our differences.
You don't have to be in agreement to be in alignment.
You can defend what you don't agree with.
Proverbs 24:3
God blesses the place where you decide to agree.
Matthew 18:19
Judges 16:4-30 (NLT)
"Show me a man who never made a mistake and I will show you one who never tried anything." Albert Einstein
God's plan for your life is not cancelled by your mistakes.
Luke 8:22-25
Proverbs 4:23
Proverbs 15:1
We can't bring peace to the storms around us until we have peace within us.
John 11:1-7 NLT
God never promised the worst thing wouldn’t happen, just that it wouldn’t be the end of the
story.
God loves you too much to give you your preferences as a substitute for His power.
God can get glory out of anything you have been through.
Jesus came to make dead people alive with the purpose, passion, and love of God.
This message touches on 5 practical lifestyle tips that can help us when we are experiencing the darkness of depression and anxiety.