Rolling Hills Community Church - Nolensville Campus: Recent Episodes
Rolling Hills Community Church
This podcast is dedicated to the Sunday morning teaching series happening each week at Rolling Hills Community Church in Nolensville, TN.
Our God is able to do miracles. God works through the power of His Holy Spirit to transform lives for His glory. The Holy Spirit indwells every Christ-follower. God is constantly working in us and through us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are conformed to the image of Jesus, and we are used to impact others. As Christians, we must learn to live by the Spirit. God is always speaking and working – the question is: are we listening and obeying? God is able.
Our God can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Yet, so often, we settle for so little. We think only about what this world can offer, and we forget about the power, grace, and love of our great God. Jesus still does miracles today. As we stay faithful to Him, we are able to see and experience the beauty and power of God. Invite Jesus into your heart and daily life, and watch Him transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
We all face challenges in life. Everyone is fighting a battle. When challenges come, we can choose to fight on our own, or we can pray and invite God into the battle. There is power in prayer. God answers every prayer we pray. Many times we are scared to pray because we don’t know how God will answer. But, as we grow in our relationships with God, we learn to love Him enough to trust Him with the answer. Will you put your trust in God today? Pray bold prayers and then watch God do what only He can do. Our God is able.
This morning we are beginning a brand new series, “God is Able.” Our theme verses here at Rolling Hills are Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in all generations forever and ever. Amen!” Whatever you are facing in your life today, know that your God is greater. Focus on Him today and live your life for Him. God is with you and for you. Open your eyes and your heart to Him today.
We have arrived at the conclusion of our Masterclass series on the book of Romans. What an incredible series it has been, as we have been diving deep into this powerful book of the Bible and seeing God’s righteousness and reconciliation for us today. Our God is a God of love, and His redemption extends to each of us through the gift of His Son, Jesus. Through Jesus, God draws us to Himself and reveals how we, as Christ-followers, should live. Romans establishes us in sound doctrine and in the amazing goodness of our great God. I pray Romans will bring revival in our hearts, our families, and our world today.
It can be easy for us to get things out of order, mix up our priorities, and put secondary things, like personal preferences in the primary spot where they don’t belong. It happens at home, at work, and just about anywhere you can imagine. The problem is, when our passion for our preferences becomes primary, we get distracted from what is truly important, and this is where the cracks of division begin to form. Paul’s instruction to the Roman believers is just as important for us today. Don’t dispute the dispute, let your passion be for the Gospel, and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus for that is of primary importance.
Our submission to God is evident in our capacity to love others and pursue holiness. By reflecting God's love and character, we bridge the gap between ourselves and the world, demonstrating God's true nature and revealing His love, grace, and authority to those around us.
In Romans 12, the apostle Paul, the author of Romans, turns the corner from the beautiful theology and deep doctrine of Romans 1-11. Romans 12 is the hinge of the letter. This begins the fourth section of the book of Romans, which is God’s will. God’s will is for Christ-followers to live out their faith in their everyday life. A Christian’s walk should equal their talk. We are called to put into practice the teaching God pours into us. May we live out our faith and impact the world for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God sent His Son, Jesus, to bring salvation to the world. In the Old Testament, God called out a people for Himself through which He would reveal His character and ultimately send His Son, the Messiah. Salvation is not based on what we do or where we are born. Salvation is found in Jesus alone. Paul always had a heart to share Jesus with others – first for his own people, the Jews, and then for all others, the Gentiles. The call comes to each of us today to accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior and then to share Him with others. May God find us faithful in sharing His heart of salvation with others today.
Let’s not skip over Thanksgiving on our way to Christmas. May we stop and remember all God has done for us this year. Let’s truly be thankful. First and foremost, let’s be thankful for Jesus and the grace and salvation we receive in Christ. Then, we can be thankful for so much more – family, friends, church, health, etc. What are you thankful for today? What is your story of Thanksgiving? Give the Lord the praise and thanks He deserves this Thanksgiving. Our God is so good to us. Thank You, Father!
Living an Intentional Life means joining God in His agenda. We first identify His call on our life. Then, we invest in what matters - what is eternal. After this, we begin to intercede - pray for others and ask God to do miracles in our lives as well as in the lives of others. Next, we inform those around us about God’s Good News and finally, we invite others to Jesus and to be a part of His Church. Let’s not become distracted in our noisy world today, but let’s be bold and live intentional lives for the glory of our great God!
We have this call to share our faith, but many times we simply don’t know how. We know God wants us to, but how are we supposed to present the Good News to our children, our friends, our neighbors, and others? What do we say? First, we share God’s story by using the Bible and specific verses. Next, we share our story. We tell others what God has done in our lives. Sharing our faith does not have to be intimidating, but it can be so exciting and freeing, as God allows us to step into that holy moment and inform others of His great love. Aren’t you glad someone shared Jesus with you? Now, let’s intentionally share God’s love with others.
Jesus’ call is for His people is to live intentionally. And how do we do that? We invest in what God values, and God values people. The Apostle Paul made it clear in his letter to the Thessalonians that he came not just to share the Gospel, but to share his life with them as well. As followers of Christ, we have a high calling to invest our lives in others for eternity's sake…to invest through empathy and compassion, sharing our faith, living an example of Christ, and through speaking words of encouragement. Ultimately, our investment in others should be rooted in God's call to love our neighbors.
There is a difference between the temporary and the eternal. So often we spend our time, energy and money investing in things of this world that will not last. But, God calls us to invest in things that are eternal. When we do this, we begin to live an intentional life. As Christ-followers, we have this amazing opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with others. When we do we can make an eternal difference. This is what Jesus calls us to do, so let’s be intentional.
Gentleness is not something that many aspire to in our day and culture. Gentleness is seen as weakness and therefore marginalized in our “win at all costs” society. However, the gentleness found in Christ is strong, deep and rich. Gentleness is “strength under control.” It is learning to harness our God-given abilities under the Lordship of Christ. When we do this, lives are impacted. People are drawn to gentle people. Gentleness brings incredible power and influence. Jesus was a gentle giant, so may we all grow in gentleness.
In a constantly changing world, our God calls us to be faithful. The call is to be a people who are faithful to our God, faithful to our family, and faithful to our calling. We tend to become so easily distracted, but we must always keep “the main thing the main thing.” As we grow deeper in Christ, what emerges is a life of steadfast faithfulness. This calling to be faithful comes from a God who is faithful. God’s love for us never changes. He is faithful, and He invites us into this kind of relationship with Him. Will you be faithful?
We live in the middle of an epic battle of “Good vs. Evil.” Even secular culture acknowledges this struggle. While the world does not call us to be “evil,” the world definitely tries to sell us a cheap imitation of “goodness” and invites us to conform to a nominal Christianity that is really no Christianity at all. However, God calls us to be filled with the Spirit and to live in goodness. God calls us to be good and to do good in His Name and His Glory. This can only come when we are planted deep in Christ and growing in our relationship with Him. The great news is – good wins! In the end, God triumphs over evil, and those who are in Christ will experience His goodness forever!
The world can sometimes seem toxic, combative, and even unkind. The question as followers of Christ we have to ask is, “What is our contribution to that cultural conversation?” As apprentices of Jesus, we are called to be people marked by compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. When we are kind, we show people God’s kindness. When we are compassionate, we show people God’s compassion. When we are forgiving, we are showing people God’s forgiveness. Kindness is more than random acts; it's the way of Christ.
Patience is a challenge for us because of the world we live in today. Our society is based on speed. We want it all, and we want it now! Yet, God has a bigger plan for our lives, and His best requires patience. Patience is trusting in God’s timing and not our own. Patience is seeing the bigger picture of God’s holy work in our lives and in the world. God’s desire for us, as followers of Christ Jesus, is to be conformed to the image of His Son – and this takes time. May we demonstrate fresh fruit in our lives as we respond to those closest to us as well as to the world. May we live with our eyes fixed on Jesus and with patience in our hearts knowing that God has a good and perfect plan for us.
Peace...we all want peace. But oftentimes our definition of peace is cloudy and instead of peace, we get a temporary escape (spa, beach, Bose headphones, etc.). Temporary escapes are sometimes good if they do not replace the real need that we have for eternal peace that lasts throughout all circumstances. That everlasting peace can only come through and by a relationship with Jesus. Now, to continue to live in the peace of God we have to do things that allow the Spirit of God to flourish (Bible reading, prayer, worship, counseling, etc...) God has given us tools for us to experience peace even when living in chaos. What are steps you can take today to continue to live in the peace of God? And what are ways that you can present the peace of God to those around you?
We all want joy in our lives; however, many times we settle for what the world offers and pursue happiness. There is a big difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is based on circumstances, while joy is based on Christ. God longs for all of us to live life with joy. There is spiritual depth and maturity when our hearts are built on Christ who never changes. As you focus on Jesus, you experience this Fruit of Joy. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). Let’s choose to embrace Jesus and experience the joy of the Lord in our hearts, homes, work, church, and lives every day.
In our new series, we are diving into how to live as followers of Jesus. Through Jesus, we have the Spirit of God in us. The Fruit of the Spirit reveals our faith. The world tries to sell us a cheap imitation of the life God has for us. The world offers lust, happiness, power, and position. Yet, God calls us to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. God wants us to have a great life, so I pray we grow deep in Christ and live out His will. This is where life makes sense and where we truly come alive! Is your fruit fresh? Are you demonstrating the Fruit of the Spirit? Let’s start with love.
The Gospel of Mark climaxes with Jesus conquering death. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the defining moment of the Gospel of Mark and of all history. Jesus being alive means through Christ each of us can have eternal life. Death is no longer the end. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection made a way for you to be forgiven, to be redeemed, and to spend eternity with God. Praise God for our risen Savior! Will you receive God’s grace today? Then, will you boldly share His Good News with others? He has risen!
The entire book of Mark is leading up to this moment. So many people missed what Jesus was doing. Everyone thought the Messiah would come to establish an earthly kingdom, but Jesus willingly laid down His life, so that we could be a part of His eternal heavenly Kingdom. The cross is the commitment point for every person. We have all sinned, and Jesus paid the price for us. Will you accept God’s grace and His love through the cross of Jesus today? And, if you are a Christ-follower, then will you live your life every day for His Name and Glory?
We hope that each we have communicated that nothing is more needed or urgent than seeing Jesus clearly and understanding who He is. How you answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” changes everything. We find that Jesus is the most surprising and compelling person in history.
But here’s the other question Mark wants to help answer in Mark 14: How do you respond to who Jesus is? Mary understood full devotion and realized devotion to Jesus would cost her financially, socially, and some criticism. Judas directly opposed due to personal interest. And although Peter failed Jesus, he humbly received His grace.
Of course, God's desire is for His people to be fully devoted. But He also wants us to know we don't have to be stuck in our failure, we can receive His grace and move forward in gratitude.
Let's move forward in grace and step into people who fully devote their hearts and lives to the person of Jesus.
Passages that address the end times are often hard to understand and difficult to apply to our daily lives. Jesus in Mark 13 tells His disciples these tough things not so they will start trying to predict when they would come, but so they would be ready when they did. Jesus is calling them to vigilant discipleship through the hard times and to be faithful ‘til the end. He encourages them to be faithful by being watchful. Watchfulness is the spiritual discipline of guarding our hearts and minds in the word, in prayer, and in community faithfully until He returns.
Any number of things can hold us back from experiencing the life Jesus yearns for us to have. From an attitude of superiority to focusing on myself more than focusing on God and others! Not to mention how tightly I hold onto my gifts and talents as opposed to bringing them to God for His plans and purposes. Throughout the Gospel of Mark, the authority of Jesus is central to a true understanding of who He is and what He has done for us. When we understand His sacrifice, our response is to naturally and thankfully, praise, worship, serve, and give all for His name and His glory!
Many of us have become very skilled at putting on a show. We know the right things to do and say in order to convince other people we have it all together. We try really hard to follow our own agenda, to never need any help, and to call the shots for our own life. The harsh reality, however, is that God never intended it to be this way. He wants us to come to Him because we find salvation in Him alone. His Kingdom is all about trusting God and serving others, as opposed to trusting myself and making sure all of my needs are met.
Jesus teaches what it means to be His disciple. The call for us is not to live like the world – simply for wealth, power, and success. The call is to know Jesus and to serve. When we commit to follow Jesus, then our lives should change. Healing comes in Jesus. Hope comes in Jesus. Life comes in Jesus. Live in Jesus this week and bring Him into your marriage, money, and ministry. Experience the spiritual sight and follow Him, as His disciple, with your life.
So often we live for the temporary. We spend so much of our time focused on the things of this world that will not last. We become consumed with money, shopping, sports, and more. And, while these things are not bad in and of themselves, they can take our eyes off of the bigger picture. Jesus wants us to focus on Him. He gives us glimpses of the eternal that really matters. There are only three things that are eternal: God, His Word, and people. Where are you investing your life? As a disciple of Jesus, invest your life in what will last forever. Focus on Jesus.
We are continuing to learn from Jesus in Masterclass. In Mark 7, Jesus encounters religious opposition, a desperate mother, and a hearing and speech-impaired man. Through these encounters, we are encouraged to come to Jesus for healing. Jesus heals our hearts, our families, and the world, as we respond to the Good News and make Him known.
Jesus calls us to a life of faith. So often we think this life is only about what we can see, but the spiritual realm is unseen. Yet, this is where the miracles happen. When we “live by faith and not by sight,” we are able to “see” with our spiritual eyes the great things God is doing. Never lose the awe and wonder of what God is doing in your life, in His Church, and in our world. Only Jesus can change a heart, heal, redeem, and restore. Our God is at work. Place your life in His hands and trust Him to do great things through you for His glory. Live by faith.
Are you needing some area of your life that needs an overhaulin’? Do you have an area of your life that needs fixing up? Maybe in your marriage, perhaps you are in need of healing of some sort, or maybe you may need something to happen in your relationship with God. Mark Chapter 5 reminds us that Jesus is in the business of restoring hearts, souls, and minds. Ultimately, Jesus not only restores our lives, but he wants to resurrect them. He wants the dead to come to life. He wants to remove the condemnation of sin through faith in His death, burial, and resurrection. Will you allow Jesus to transform your life?
As disciples of Jesus, we are called to sow seeds. Many of us struggle to share our faith with non-believers because it can be really hard or just plain awkward. It is our duty as Christians to share God's Good News with others. Without us sharing Christ with them, they won't even have the opportunity to grow or choose to follow Jesus.
So, rather than us seeing sharing our faith as something that's simply challenging or even, at times, frustrating or disappointing, let's choose to see it as a means of bringing the Gospel to those who need to hear it. Our job is to scatter the seeds and let the Holy Spirit do the work.
Has it ever bothered you that the people who should’ve known Jesus the best seemed to know him the least? That’s definitely the case for his family in Mark chapter 3. People in Jesus‘s hometown exclaimed that he must’ve been crazy or possessed. Those who share your deep seeded beliefs in Christ are really your truest and best family. We all need that kind of family to maintain our walk with Christ. Consider the challenge, though, when those of us who are supposed to know and follow Jesus best, question him and represent him the least. Incredible takeaways this week as we seek to be a people, as part of the family of God, who trust Jesus and live lives that express our faith in him.
Your faith has such significant implications for others! The man we read about in Mark 2 who was paralyzed had brothers around him who believed Jesus would do what He said He would do. They did not allow the obstacles, the fear, the uncertainty, or the challenges to get in the way of the faith they had in Jesus. How about you? Do you have a community like this who will lift you up when you are down and who will carry you to the feet of Jesus? Do you seek to show your faith to others in this same way? May we all grow deeper in our faith, deeper in our community, and deeper in our understanding of all that Jesus yearns to do in our lives.
The Gospel of Mark gives us a window into who Jesus was, what He did, and what it means for us. As He called His first disciples, He calls us to follow Him. He wants us to follow Him not just by verbally saying He is Lord, but living as if we believe He is Lord. This means as we read Mark, we actively spend time with Jesus and in turn let the Holy Spirit transform us into His likeness. This transformation forms us into a new person who now can begin to live as Jesus lived.
God is inviting you into His Easter Story. He is drawing you to Himself and asking you to make Easter personal. God is not simply interested in religion, but He wants a personal relationship with you. Not your parents’ faith or your church’s faith, but your faith – a committed relationship with the God of all creation through His Son, Jesus. Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and the relationship you can now have with God for eternity as a part of His forever family. Easter allows you to come alive in Jesus’ unconditional, transformational, and eternal love. Receive God’s gift of salvation today and live in His love forever. God loves you!
Jesus’ sacrifice changes everything. Jesus willingly took our place. He laid down His life so that we could be redeemed in our relationship with God. His gift is for all people - regardless of nationality, gender, or socio-economic status - Jesus gave His life for you. Jesus’ sacrifice shows us the depth of God’s love and how we are called to live in relationship with God and with others. Let’s live our lives for the glory of our great God because His Son gave His life for us.
Jesus’ death matters. It was prophesied and purposeful. The wages of sin is death. In the Old Testament, there was the sacrificial system. In this system, there were animals that were killed for the atonement of the sins of the people. Jesus came as the perfect sacrifice. He lived 33 sinless years, then died on a cross to pay the price for our sins. It was our sin that put Jesus on that cross. But, Jesus conquered death and made a way for us to be forgiven and to have eternal life. Praise God for His grace and mercy. Jesus died for you, so now let’s live for Him!
Jesus stood trial before the Jews and the Romans for claiming to be the Messiah – the Son of God. Pilate, the Roman Governor, knew Jesus to be good, but he was scared to make this declaration. Pilate tried to remain neutral, even washing his hands of the entire situation. However, no decision is a decision. Pilate, “wanting to satisfy the crowd,” handed Jesus over to be crucified. What do you believe about Jesus? Is He truly the Messiah – the Son of God, or is Jesus a liar or lunatic? Every one of us must give an answer about Jesus. How will you respond to Jesus’ claim this Easter? Is He your Savior? If so, follow Him for all your life.
Pride is a sin that is often difficult to detect in our lives. Pride always keeps the focus on “self” and rejects our need for God. The closer we move towards intimacy with God the more we will understand what it means to “deny ourselves” and live in the fullness of the freedom we have in Christ. Through Christ, we understand what true humility is, and it is in that humility we become better leaders, family members, co-workers, and neighbors.
Envy literally robs your life of joy! Jealousy puts me in a position where I am intentionally choosing not to be grateful for what I have, or where I am, but rather it’s a yearning for what I do not have. Jealousy, like all sin, creates a false narrative that I can find contentment and joy in the things of this world. May you seek to find peace and life in the true source, the only source, Jesus Chris!
Anger is a sin we all deal with. Sometimes anger and wrath manifest in outbursts and other times they simmer below the surface. If we don’t deal with anger, then it will destroy others, and even ourselves. Anger comes when we don’t get our way; therefore, we harbor bitterness, frustration, and resentment. Yet, as Christ-followers, we are called to love – to love God and to love others. This means when the anger comes, we have a responsibility to forgive and to offer grace. Will you deal with any deep-seeded anger and give it over to God today? Don’t let Satan get a foothold in your heart with anger. Delight yourself in God’s grace and trust in Him.
Greed is to money as slothfulness is to time. We all have a certain amount of time, so the question becomes: are we investing our time in things that matter? There is a temptation in our culture to desire only things that make us comfortable, but if we are to grow spiritually then we must get out of our comfort zone. We must push past laziness to grow deeper and stronger in our spiritual journey. Spending time in prayer and reading God’s Word takes effort as does sharing our faith and serving others. God calls us to “work out” our salvation - not to “work for” our salvation (because it is by grace we are saved), but to “work out.” Let’s give our best to God!
Greed is a struggle for all of us. We live in a materialistic and capitalistic society. Everything around us is about money and more – more money, more stuff, more things. Greed is when we desire money or power more than God. Greed is a sin. The antidote to greed is generosity. God longs for us to know Him and to trust Him as our Provider. God took care of our salvation by giving His Son, so there is nothing God will withhold from us. Let God be enough for you. Find your contentment, joy, and peace in God through His Son, Jesus. God will provide for you.
We live in a culture marked with excess. We have what seems to be an infinite amount of food choices, 24/7 access to email, unlimited capacity to spend, travel, buy, and invest. As good as all of these things are, we have to be careful to keep them in their proper place. Without discipline and self-control we become conquered and captivated with food, entertainment, and all of the other things we have in abundance. Where is your heart today? Are you chasing after food in a gluttonous manner, just because you can? Are you scrolling 24/7 because you actually enjoy it and it brings meaning to your life, or just because it is there? God desires to do more in our lives than we most likely even realize! Join Him today in allowing Him to refine your life!
When it’s all said and done, lust seeks to satisfy self without covenant commitment. That’s why love is the remedy. Lust is common to all but possibly overcome by few. The enemy is content to rip a person apart as he or she seeks to satisfy their desire and also to bury someone alive under the weight of guilt. Only in Christ can we overcome temptation and move beyond the shame of past sin. A daily commitment to Christ and sacrificial love for others is the covenant tools we need to avoid the trap and win the war.
Mental health is at an all-time low in our nation today. So many people suffer from hopelessness, fear, worry, uncertainty, and more. Yet, in the middle of all of this, there is a God who longs for us to be healthy mentally. This comes when we place our full faith in Jesus Christ, and He renews our minds for His glory. We move away from allowing the thoughts of this world to have dominion over our minds, and we take captive every thought. Even in this world, through Christ Jesus, we can truly experience His peace and share this with others. Let’s advance mentally today.
Money is a big part of our life. Money can bring joy, but it can also cause worry and stress. How we manage the money we have been given is important to God. Everything we have comes from Him, and He longs for us to be good stewards of what He has entrusted to us. We all can succeed in this area! You can win at money if you do it God’s way. How do you plan to advance financially in 2022? Do a budget? Get a will? Sign-up for Financial Peace University? Live by Biblical principles? Above all, trust God with your finances! Let’s learn to be rich.
You were created for relationships. First, your relationship with God impacts everything else in your life. A relationship with God only comes through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, His own Son, on the cross. Committing your life to Jesus then calls you to live differently in your relationship with others. As Christ-followers, we are called to a life of love, grace, and forgiveness. Will you advance in your relationship with God and with others in 2022? Make a commitment today to grow in your relationship with God and with those around you.
We are beginning a new year and a new opportunity for spiritual health and discipleship. Many make New Year's Resolutions but few keep them which leads to disappointment and frustration. With the help of God and each other, there are resolutions we can accomplish. Day by day we can be resolved to grow into the likeness of Jesus. Today we look at the word of God concerning our physical health. We will see that salvation involves not just the souls but our bodies as well. With the help of God, we can use our bodies (which God lives in and owns) to display His glory.
Together, let's live as Christmas people, not just during the holidays. Let's live like Christ when we walk into our workplaces, when we interact with our families, when we enter our kids' schools and are a part of their activities, and when we get to know our neighbors. Everywhere we go, let's make a difference and live with an eternal perspective, knowing and trusting that we're in Christ – and He's made us new.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17
This Christmas Eve we will light candles to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus. Jesus is the Light of the World. The Light has come into the world, and the darkness could not overcome it. May the Light of Jesus fill your heart and home this Christmas. May Jesus’ love and joy shine bright in you. “Emmanuel” means God with us. Jesus is here for you!
Merry CHRISTmas!
The Magi traveled over 1,600 miles to be with Jesus. Their joy, generosity, and sacrifice still inspire us today. The Magi realized that even though they were wealthy in a worldly sense, they knew there was still more to life. They longed to experience what God was doing in the world. In the process of meeting Jesus, they worshiped Him. We are the supporting cast today. Will we meet and worship Jesus this Christmas? Will we bring Him our best? O, come, let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord.
Faithfulness is so incredibly important, and valuable when it comes to our relationship with Christ. Yet, faithfulness is often not looked upon so highly by our culture at large. From a societal perspective, we are always looking for the next thing. We always want the plans for tomorrow to be available yesterday. If something is not going the way we think it should go, it is easy to just quit and move on. However, something happens when we remain faithful! We begin to realize life is really not about us and that our job is to stay the course and allow God to work. We realize that no matter what happens, God can be trusted and that through our faithfulness He grows us in ways we could never have imagined!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas - the decorations, presents, carols and more. Sometimes the trappings of Christmas can become the focus for us. This year, let’s prioritize the CHRIST of CHRISTmas. When Jesus first came into the world, there was a man named Simeon who saw Him. Even though there were thousands of people at the Temple that day, Simeon saw Jesus, the Savior of the world, and worshipped Him. May this Christmas we behold the One who gave His life for us and may we worship Him. May this Christmas be about Jesus.
We all have a family tree. We all have people who have gone before us who have impacted our lives - some good and others not so much. We can’t control what has been passed down to us, but we can control what we pass on to others. God uses imperfect people to accomplish His perfect plan. If you are in Jesus, then you are a new creation. You are not defined by your past, but by the One who loves you. Focus on Jesus this CHRISTmas season. Find your worth and value in Him, and then pass Him down to the next generation. It’s all about Jesus!
Over the past several weeks, we have learned so much from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Thessalonica. This church was a joyful, prayerful, and thankful church. And, this is God’s desire for each of us. God wants us to enjoy life always, to grow in our prayer life, and to develop an attitude of gratitude. This Thanksgiving we all have so much for which to be thankful. Take time this week to truly express your gratitude to God as well as to the family, friends, and church family God has put around you. Let’s be joyful, prayerful, and thankful every day.
The apostle Paul encourages the church in Thessalonica to do three things: to be sanctified (holy), to grow in their love, and to live in light of eternity to come. As Christ-followers, our goal is to be conformed to the image of Jesus. This means saying “No” to the ungodliness of this world and saying “Yes” to living for Christ. We do this by loving God and others more, and the things of this world less. We must remember, through Jesus, we have eternal life in heaven. The best of our life is still to come. Always live with the hope of Jesus. Even in the tough times remember Jesus loves you, and He has an eternal home for you. Celebrate His goodness every day!
We all need encouragement in our lives. Many times we can feel down or discouraged. But, God comes to stand with us and by us in the challenges of life. God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and then to conquer death in order to make a way for us to have eternal life. God is with us and He is for us. Whatever you are facing today, keep going forward in Christ. God has a great plan for you and for His Church. We are a part of something very special. Live each day in the encouragement and grace of your great God.
Cultivating a life of gratitude in a world that is fast-paced, filled with instant gratification, more division than ever before, and uncertainty can be difficult – especially when there is suffering. The Apostle Paul reminds us that even in the midst of suffering we can celebrate the goodness of God. When we know Jesus personally, experience His radical grace, and view life through the lens of eternity, it changes our perspective and allows us to see purpose, even in the pain.
As we look back over our lives, we can see how God has been there every step of the way. As a Christ-follower, we are called to stay in the center of His will and to be a part of His Church. We live our lives for His agenda and not our own. When we follow Jesus, then we see God do miracles. In the journey of life, it is important to follow, to trust, and to celebrate. How often do we stop and give God the glory for the great things He has done in our life? God’s goodness is so evident to all of us. When we actually give Him the praise He deserves, it changes our attitude and draws us close to His heart. Our God is so good. Let’s celebrate and live in His goodness!
In our life, there are times we struggle with fear. The worries and stress of this life can overwhelm us at different times and in various seasons. Yet, as we fix our Eyes on Jesus, what results is peace. God longs for us to experience His peace which surpasses all human understanding. Even in the storms of life, we can know for certain that God is our Rock and our Anchor. Where are you trying to find peace in your life today? Don’t just medicate yourself with temporary solutions. The only true peace comes from Jesus. He alone can bring us peace with God, peace with others, and peace with ourselves. Will you focus your Eyes on Jesus today?
We live in a culture increasingly defined by stress, anxiety, and chaos. How can we flourish as followers of Christ in such a world? Scripture gives us clear ways on how to manage stress and not be managed by it. Jesus gave a perfect example of how to handle stress and live in such a way that is not defined by chaos, but by peace, courage, and confidence.
We all deal with worry. It is a part of our everyday life. Yet, at some point, worry can start to consume us. Worry and fear can begin to control our lives. Ultimately at the heart of all worry is a desire for us to be in control. We think we know what is best for us as well as for others. It is important for us to plan and prepare, but we must always focus our Eyes on Jesus. He is sovereign, and ultimately in all control. As we trust in our Heavenly Father, we grow in our faith. If we focus on our problems, then they get bigger. When we focus on Jesus, our faith grows stronger. Where are your eyes today? What are you focusing on? Put your Eyes on Jesus.
In a world riddled with fear and anxiety everywhere we look, now more than ever it's essential for us to keep our focus on things other than what this world has to offer. It's essential for us to keep our eyes on Jesus. In this video, you’ll hear from our campus pastors and family pastor to kickoff our new series, “Eyes on Jesus.”
Our very own Lead Pastor, Jeff Simmons, has written a book on this topic of fear and anxiety, addressing it from a biblical perspective. In it are challenging questions and topics for us as Christ-followers to dive into as we look to Jesus for peace and healing in today's world. “Eyes on Jesus, Psalm 23 - A Guide to Overcoming the Worry and Stress in Our Lives and Culture.”
Oswald Chambers notably says, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” We often hear the word prayer and think this is something that prepares us for the next step, or prayer is merely an opportunity to come before God and ask Him for things. In reality, prayer is so much more! Prayer is direct communion with God. The same God who holds the stars in place and who knew me before I was born, yearns to hear from me and wants to be known. Through prayer, I see my own neediness and how God is always at work. Seek to grow in your commitment to prayer today! Incredible things happen in our lives when we commit to being men and women of prayer.
Worship is more than singing some songs on a Sunday morning. Worship is our life. Worship is our response to God for who He is and for what He has done in our life. We were created to worship; therefore, we will all worship something. We will worship money, success, and even our kids, but God wants us to worship Him. God longs for us to worship Him in the good times and in the struggles. When we truly live a life of worshiping God, this changes everything. Worshiping God brings peace, love, joy, and purpose into our hearts and allows us to bring glory to His Name with our life. Let’s engage in worship this week.
As Christ-followers we are all called to engage in evangelism - sharing our faith. Most of the time, we don’t really know what to say. We hear the problems of people around, and we know Jesus is the answer, but we are hesitant to talk about our faith. This is natural, and especially in the world we live in today. But, people need the Lord! Jesus is the One who has changed our life, and He is the Hope of the world. The Bible calls us to “always be prepared... to give the reason for the hope you have.” Let’s prepare and pray for God to open doors for us to have spiritual conversations with our family, friends, co-workers, and more. Someone engaged with us spiritually, so let’s be people who are willing to share the Good News of Jesus with others.
As Christ-followers, we are all called to engage in missions. Sometimes we think that mission work is reserved for others, but actually it is the responsibility of every person who is a Christian. We can engage locally, nationally, and internationally through our prayers, giving, going, and even sponsoring those in need. Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for Me,” in Matthew 25:40. Let’s follow Jesus and share His incredible love with others. Together we can make a difference in our world for the glory of our great God.
Every person, through Christ, is called to minister. So often we think that the only “ministers” are those who are on staff at a church. But, actually, if you are a Christ-follower, then you are called to minister and serve the Body of Christ. God has equipped you with spiritual gifts – not simply to grow your own kingdom, but to grow His Kingdom. You grow spiritually when you learn to serve and invest in others. God will use you to impact so many lives for His glory. There have been many people in your life who invested in you, and now this is our time to invest in others.
To follow, you have to move forward. It doesn’t matter if you have been following Christ for 40 minutes or 40 years, we all have a next step to take in our journey. He is ready to use this journey to change us. He wants to make us whole. He wants to make us holy. He wants to make us look like Jesus. He most often uses His Word and the His people to do this change in us. Are you ready to take your next step forward?
Starting today, let’s make a 40-Day Commitment to Grow Spiritually. This means we must engage. God created us to grow spiritually and this happens through community. We need others to help us in the hard times and to celebrate with us in the good times. We all want deep relationships, but this only comes when we are willing to invest the time and energy. Church is a gift from God to accomplish His Will and to grow us as His disciples. Engage in community by joining the church (Partnership Class), joining a Community Group, Men’s or Women’s Study and getting your kids involved. We all need Jesus and His Church. Let’s engage for 40-Days and watch God do great things in our hearts, minds, marriages, friendships, children, jobs, and more. Engage!
This summer we have been on an amazing journey with the children of Israel as God brought them out of slavery and led them to the Promised Land. In our own lives, we are on an amazing journey with the Lord as well. God has freed us from being slaves to sin, and He is leading us to our forever home in heaven. What are we doing with this life we have been given? Are we following Jesus and blessing others or simply living for ourselves? We are all leaving a legacy; the question is this: what kind of legacy will you leave? Will you live your life for the glory of God and help those who come behind you to know Him better? Let’s leave a legacy for Jesus!
God is intricately involved in every detail of your life. Because He is Sovereign, holy, and good, you can trust Him in everything. Whether you are going through a valley or on the tops of mountains, God is working all things out according to His will for your life. For the Israelites, God was showing them how He was going to meet with Him. He desires to do the same thing for you today! Will you trust His plan? Will you grow in Him? He holds every detail together for the great adventures He has in store.
You might be in a people group where God's law was talked about more than God's love. In fact, you may have been burned by the church because you couldn't seem to get it right. The truth is, the law ultimately points to God's love. We are all law breakers, but we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus. And when we see what great links God went for us to be called children of God through Jesus Christ, that compels us to be obedient to his commands. So we obey not because of duty, but out of LOVE. We love others, not just because that is what I am supposed to do, but because it is a reflection of the love God has given us.
God provides for His people. So often we worry. We wonder if God sees the circumstances we are facing. We all have needs. Yet, God not only sees, but He cares. God provides for all our needs. God takes care of His people every day. He invites us to trust Him and to follow Him. God provides for both our physical needs and our spiritual needs. God gave His only Son, so that we can have eternal life with Him through salvation. There is no need that God cannot, and will not, meet in your life. Are you worried today? Trust God, and know - the Lord will provide.
Freedom is a fine line. Enjoying it can quickly translate into abusing it. Celebrating it can easily fast forward into idolizing it. The key to keeping freedom in its proper place and living out one’s freedoms with well-stewarded grace is knowing where it came from and why we have it. In Israel’s case and in our spiritual state, freedom was God’s gift. It wasn’t awarded to Israel then and it isn’t afforded to us now because we inherently deserve it or because we worked hard to earn it. Only God’s grace. When you know that He alone gave it and that nothing about you deserves it, freedom like salvation remains the thing you want to live out and never lord over. How do you honor God and point people to Jesus best? It’s in cherishing freedom and also leveraging freedom for the ultimate good of others.
Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb. When God delivered His people out of being slaves in Egypt, He sent the last plague - the death angel. Yet, God told the Israelites to cover the doorposts of their home with the blood of a lamb. Every home covered in the blood of the lamb, the death angel “passed over” and the lives inside were saved. The blood of Jesus covers our hearts if you are in Christ Jesus. You are saved for all eternity. Trust and follow Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” today!
Our God is a God of miracles. There are times when God breaks into our natural world with the supernatural. God is Sovereign over all creation and over your life. Even when a situation seems hopeless, don’t forget about God! Our God is able. God always fights for His people. What prayers are you praying that only God can do? Pray bold prayers. God longs to do miracles in your life. Trust Him and watch Him do great things in your life and in those around you for His glory. You need only to ask, be bold and be still. God loves you.
The God of the Universe is calling out to you. He is inviting you into a relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is where The Greatest Adventure begins. Throughout the journey, God has a specific call to each one of His followers. You are uniquely gifted to accomplish His will. Whether it is being a parent, a grandparent, serving in a ministry at church, being baptized, or reaching out to your co-workers in the name of Jesus, there is no one else who can do exactly what God has called you to do. Will you make excuses or will you be obedient? Trust God and watch Him do miracles in your life as well in those around you.
God had a great plan for Moses, just like God has a great plan for each of us. God saved Moses in a basket in the Nile, and then gave Moses the best education in the world at that time. As Moses grew up, he didn’t fall in love with the comforts of this world, but kept a heart for the One True God. Moses ended up in the wilderness where God grew his faith and prepared him to lead His people. God is working in your life. God is preparing you for great things. Always draw close to God and know that He is working in you for a greater purpose.
God longs for you to embrace A Beautiful Life. The life God has for you is lived by faith and filled with love. As you grow in your knowledge of how much God loves you, then you can extend His love to others. As you love, you become more like Jesus. Are you living the life God has for you? If not, what is keeping you from experiencing God’s best? Will you allow Jesus this week to be the Lord of your life and the joy of your heart? Be grateful and live the life God has for you.
We live in a world where it is easy to be held captive by fear, where truth is continually up for grabs and where we seek power and meaning in a variety of places. Yet, when we center our lives on God and the truth of His Word, we see a clear path ahead. His path of love leads to being able to have discernment and to see others as He sees them. Pray for God to lead you on that path today!
It is safe to say most people want to be considered loving. However, it starts to narrow when you realize what love really is, and Who our definition of love should be based on! Christ-centered love is truly all about Jesus and all about others. Put another way–to grow in love means to decrease in self. We will never really experience the beautiful life Jesus has for us until we take the command to love as a serious command and not something we can just get around to when it is easy or convenient. Pray today for God to show you how to grow in love!
God has lavished His love on us! God has made a way for us to be made clean through Christ. God yearns for us to have a life filled with peace and meaning. But He doesn’t just want it for us. He wants it for everyone and He has given us the message to go and share. Pray for ways this week to show love to a lost and hurting world!
Truth is very underrated. We live in a culture where unfortunately truth is always up for grabs. Instead of absolute truths and core universal truths from God’s Word, truth tends to be more relative. The problem with this line of thinking is that we have made truth a moving target. When we do this, we become just like the churches John was writing to. We tend to get lost and led astray and instead of our lives being built on a firm foundation, they are built on sands that shift. Will you make a commitment today to build your life on Him? The world says this is close-minded, whereas God says it is the key to a fulfilled life.
God created you to grow spiritually. When we commit our lives to follow Jesus, this is just the beginning. We are then called to mature in our faith journey. This involves taking “next steps” spiritually - being baptized, reading God’s Word, praying, serving, and more. As we grow, we become more like Jesus. There are definite challenges that keep us from growing. Pushing past the challenges and growing in Christ is what creates in us a beautiful life.
God yearns for your life to be full, rich, abundant, and blessed. A beautiful life, however, is not a product of what the world would say makes your life meaningful! The world claims money, notoriety and prestige are the markers of a beautiful life, but in reality, a life of commitment, confession, and allowing Jesus to set your agenda are the true measures we should be striving for!
May this Easter season remind you that God loves you, God has a plan for you, and God is for you! God sent His Son Jesus to the Earth to save you. You can do nothing to earn God’s love and there is nothing you will ever do to make God love you less. Will you trust Him today? Will you believe in Him today? Because Jesus conquered death, you can be victorious!
One of the greatest truths we so easily gloss over is that Jesus is always pursuing us. No matter how broken we are or how defeated we may be. No matter how many mistakes we have made or how insignificant we may feel. This story of the woman at the well serves as a great reminder that no division, no difference, or no past mistakes exclude you from the love of God. Jesus has a plan for you and He is passionately pursuing you today. Lean into Him. Lean into His Word, and allow Him to set the agenda for your life today.
God shows humanity how valuable it is by describing a Father/Child relationship in this text. As a child of God, our response to his love should be to trust more. When this world presents doubts and concerns, Jesus is calling us to have “childlike” faith and trust the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. Not only does he place a high value on this Father/Child relationship, but calls us to lead the next generation to that Father/Child relationship. This requires us to be child champions. We need to speak up for the value of raising our kids to know Jesus. We need to raise the bar for the importance of family ministry. We need dependable and passionate adults who introduce the next generation to Jesus. We don’t have time to waste. Let’s show the next generation what it looks like to be close to Jesus.
When it comes to living a life on mission for Jesus, it is easy to approach the task with the wrong attitude and mindset. Often we hear the word “sent” and our mind goes to a begrudging place. Instead of being joyful and excited about the opportunities to share the good news and to build relationships with others, we either cower in fear, go to a place of obligation, or simply ignore the commands (surely Jesus must be talking to other, more spiritual people, not me). Pray this week for opportunities to live “sent.” Pray and listen for spiritual conversation starters, and find joy in this most exhilarating call!
There is a God-shaped hole in every one of us. We try to fill this hole in our lives with money, success, power, or possessions. The world tells us that these things will satisfy, but they never do. As soon as we buy something or reach a new position in a job, we are already looking for what’s next. True fulfillment comes only in Jesus. He is everything we need and desire. Is there anything in your life that is more important to you than Jesus? If so, confess it today, and put Jesus first. When He is truly first in your life, then you experience the deep joy of knowing Him!
Oswald Chambers notably said, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” It is so common to look at the projects that are ahead or the challenges you may face and think, “I need to pray about those things so I can be prepared for those things.” The inherent problem with this line of thinking is that I am still acting like I am in charge because I think my preparation or my knowledge is what will allow me to get through whatever problem I may face. As we are reminded in the book of Ephesians however, prayer is a necessary part of the armor to keep myself protected from the attacks that will assuredly come! Instead of coming up with plans and asking God to bless and work through those plans, how about we start from a place of prayer today and then suit up in the everyday armor and allow Jesus to set our course of action.
Every Christian has an everyday armor to fight the everyday battle. This week we are reminded to take up the Shield of Faith that covers us from head to toe and extinguishes the flaming arrows that are meant to distract us from the truth of the Gospel and our calling to trust our Father who is faithful, powerful, good, loving, and near to those who call on Him. We are also reminded to put on the Helmet of Salvation that provides coverage for our minds leading us to take our thoughts captive and live out our new identity in light of eternity. Finally, as warriors ready for battle, we are to take up the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God, treasuring God’s Word, and learning to skillfully handle God’s Word daily. Every Christian, every day is putting on the Armor for the everyday battle!
God has given us protection from the attacks of the enemy. The real question is whether or not we will take up the everyday armor in preparation for all that will come? It is very easy to try and go through life in our own power or might. However, the areas of life where we may feel the strongest in our own power may very likely be the areas that Satan will attack us first. Be strong today! Realize you have a real enemy...but live with the knowledge and faith that Jesus is greater.
We are in a spiritual battle. Most of the time we only focus on what we can see, but there is a battle that rages between Good vs. Evil, that we cannot see, and impacts all of us. We have an enemy who does not want us to succeed in life. The devil endeavors to keep people from God and schemes against those who seek to follow Jesus. Yet, God is more powerful than our enemy and gives us the armor to succeed in the battle. Put on the full armor of God and live for the glory of God. The devil will be defeated, so let’s not let him get a foothold in our minds, homes, and lives. Let’s stand for Jesus and know that the battle belongs to the Lord!
The easiest path we can take in life is one of comfortability and convenience. If we are not careful, we can go through life navigating between all of the things that do not challenge us too much or ask too much of us. However, at the heart of this way of living is self. God has a better way! God calls us to daily die to self. God calls us to put Him at the center and to orient our time, talents, and treasure all around Him! God asks us to give all for His name and His glory.
Jesus simplified for us what our lives should really be about. Yet, we tend to measure our success and spend our time on a million different other things. To love God with everything in us and to give of ourselves to others is the greatest calling we have. Will you grow in your love for God today? Will you find ways to serve others and make a difference? According to Jesus, nothing else matters more!
Charles Swindoll notably said, “Whatever we do, we must not treat the Great Commission like it’s the Great Suggestion.” Unfortunately, when it comes to one of the greatest tasks and responsibilities we have been given as followers of Jesus, we all too often look at this role as something that we may or may not have time to complete. Depending on how comfortable or easy the conversation may be, depends on how likely we are to continue having it. Jesus has called each of us to more. He has called us to go and make disciples. He has called us to step into the lives of our neighbors and friends and He has given us good news to share. In what ways are you going to seek to grow in reaching out this week?
We are God’s people. We have entered into a relationship with God through the price Jesus paid for our sins on the cross. We are redeemed and restored by His goodness and grace. Jesus invites us to follow Him. To learn to hear His voice, trust, and obey. Jesus longs to lead us into a great life - life ”to the full.” Who are you listening to? Are you listening to what your enemy says about you or what God says about you? Listen to One Voice, and then together, as God’s people, let’s proclaim with one voice His goodness and grace in 2021 and for all eternity!
What’s your “but” when it comes to church attendance? How about when it comes to church service? We all have them–those exceptions to what matters. Participating in the ministry of a local church comes with a long list of ifs, whens, and maybes for most people. However, the Church is Christ’s body and it will be built with you or in spite of you. Truth is, nothing in your life and your pending year (2021) matters as much as who you say Jesus is and what part you play in the building of His Church. It’s how we grow to maturity, avoid the calamity of wandering, and help others in love to do the same. What part will church play in your coming year and more importantly, what part will you play in the Church?
Most of us confuse the words “joy” and “happiness.” Happiness is usually found when everything is going our way and when our circumstances are good. Happiness can easily subside if something around us changes. Joy on the other hand is not contingent on circumstances. Joy has very little to do with us and what we can do, but rather everything to do with Him. This Christmas season, we can have joy because “love came down!” In the midst of struggles and celebrations, our joy in Christ should never waver. We all have so much to be grateful for this season. May the knowledge of Jesus lead us to great joy today!
God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son. It is because of Jesus that we can be made whole. It is because of the love of Christ that I do not have to be defined by my past sin and failures, and that God yearns to use me to impact others. We often underestimate and undervalue the very things, like humility and selflessness, that make us more Christlike. May we all be reminded today that God yearns to use humble vessels, who will seek to magnify Him above everything and everyone else.
No matter how many times we may have heard this story, may the truth never grow dim. God works in ways one may never be able to imagine. God chooses the unlikeliest of characters to accomplish His eternal work. God brings peace in the midst of unknowns, and yearns for mankind to see His ultimate plan in, and through, every situation. This Christmas, will we stand in awe of Him? Will we allow His peace to transcend our human understanding? When God invites us into His work, will we respond in humility? God yearns to bring peace to this world! God yearns to bring peace to each of us.
Hope is powerful. Where there is hope, there is life. Think about all the places where you place your hope? “I hope to see my family. I hope I get this job. I hope this deal comes through. I hope there is a vaccine.” Yet, God wants us to place our ultimate hope and trust in Him. God always comes through. Everything in this world will fade away, but God lasts forever. Let’s place our hope firmly in Him. God is with us and He is for us. May we always be people of Hope and may we share Hope with others today as we live in a world desperate for Hope. Jesus is our Hope!
This has been a crazy year, yet our God is faithful. Think about all the ways He has provided for you this year. Thanksgiving should be more than one day a year. We are called to be thankful everyday of our life. Being thankful changes our mindset and attitude. Therefore, let’s start each day being thankful to our great God. What a difference Thanksgiving makes in each of us. We all have so much for which to be thankful - mainly Jesus, and our hope and eternal life in Him.
Faithfulness in all seasons is much easier said than done. In times of plenty, or “problem free” living, most people will not struggle to be faithful. However, in the midst of battles, adversities, and challenges, faithfulness becomes much more difficult! From the onset of their delivery from captivity in Egypt, the Israelites had a very difficult time remaining faithful to God. Even in the midst of God performing some incredible miracles and providing over and abundantly all they could ever need, their minds, eyes, and hearts were prone to wander. Today, in the year 2020, God is giving us an opportunity to choose to be faithful! To be about His work, we have to be willing to trust Him to provide, to trust Him for the opportunities, and to be faithful to walk in obedience to His plans. Commit today to trust Him and to use all of your gifts, talents, and resources to “Finish Strong” the work He has put in front of you!
Our God is a God of miracles. When the odds seem overwhelming, this is when God does His best work. Whatever challenge you are facing today, always remember God is greater. So, what bold prayer are you praying in your life? Pray, asking God, to do what only He can do. As a church, we are joining together in praying “For the Kingdom.” We are praying and committing to see God accomplish His Will through us over these next 12 months. Let’s pray and commit to the work God has for each of us. Our best days individually and as a church are still to come! Let’s watch the “Sun Stand Still” and let’s Finish Strong!
Every action, or inaction, has more significant implications than we usually realize. If there is an area of our lives where God is asking us to be faithful to one specific thing and we turn the other way, we may think, “no harm, no foul!” However, as we can clearly see in Joshua 7 and 8, these decisions not only drive a wedge into our relationship with God, but have an impact on our family, church, and community. It is very easy to minimize every area that God is asking us to trust Him in, and with every little thing we do not attend to, we are making it more difficult on ourselves to trust Him in the future. We are in a season of life and ministry where we need to be trusting Him more than ever! Our decisions and obedience today, set us up to trust Him even more tomorrow!
God does miracles in the lives of His people. God brought His people in the Bible out of slavery in Egypt, yet God was not finished with them. God had a beautiful land and life for them. And, God is not finished with us, as His people today. God brought us out of slavery to sin by His grace through Jesus Christ His Son. And, God is still at work in us. As long as there is breath in our lungs, God wants to use us for His glory. Two years ago, as a church, we embarked on a Campaign called, “For the Kingdom.” We have one year left, so let’s “Finish Strong.” Today, we start 21-Days of Prayer and Fasting until our Commitment, or Re-Commitment, Sunday on November 15. Our best days as a church are still ahead. Your best days, I believe, are still ahead. Let’s give our best for the glory of our great God! Let’s Finish Strong!
The need to know all of the plans, all of the contingency plans, and all of the unknown variables will often get in the way of experiencing what God has for you. God is calling you to the next level in your faith journey. God is calling you to trust Him in ways you never have before. If you are waiting for everything to make perfect sense, you will likely miss some of what God is yearning to do in and through you!
Strength and courage are two things that are difficult to have on our own. However, when we have the God of creation on our side – with us wherever we go – we can have strength. We can have courage. We don't have to fear or be discouraged. We can go out in faith and trust that He will be with us, no matter where He may lead or call us.
We often tend to think of love as an emotion that we can “fall into” and “fall out” of. However, what Paul is talking about in 1 Corinthians 13 isn’t just an emotion, but rather a solid commitment to be selfless in actions, deeds, and words. Love can also easily be understood as a feeling, but in reality it is a promise! A promise to put the needs of another first and to follow the example of Jesus Christ in our marriages, dating relationships, and friendships. In what ways is God asking you to grow in Jesus-centered love this week?
In a season of uncertainty, challenge, or crisis, the really good things in your life will be accentuated and strengthened. On the flip side, the areas where you need improvement, or that you have not attended to as much as you should have, will likely be accentuated, but not in a positive way. This Covid-19 season has undoubtedly provided both for you. In terms of relationships, this season may have shed some light on issues that need to be addressed, and this very week you need to address them. Perhaps your marriage is struggling or your faith is waning. Bring those things to God today! Ask Him to give you the wisdom and insight you need and lean into the relationships in your life. Every relationship you have is an opportunity to serve others and be like Jesus. Are you taking advantage of those opportunities or squandering them?
Relationships take work! Like most good things in life, a healthy relationship does not just happen. Relationships are not just strengthened via osmosis. You have to work at them. You have to take initiative and be willing to show other people who you really are–which is risky! In every relationship you have, or will have, the more and more you can make it about the other person and less about you, the stronger the relationship will be. Finally, life comes in our relationships when we surrender them all to God and when the building blocks of the relationship are godly things opposed to worldly things. Is there a relationship right now that needs nourished with the things of God? What steps are you going to take this week?
Most people spend their life looking for “the one.” Dating and marriage is a big deal to all of us. It causes a lot of joy and stress. Yet, marriage is a gift from God. It is the way God created relationships to work. A key to a great marriage is marrying the right person. Therefore, be godly in the way you date and pursue your future spouse. Then when you are married, keep your priorities right. “The One” should always be God. When you keep God first in your life and you pursue Him, then your marriage and dating relationships work. When you put someone else over God as “the one,” then you have trouble and challenges. Prioritize God as “the One” in your life today. God wants you to succeed. Trust Him today!
Philippians reminds you that in all things, God can be trusted. There is not a care, concern, struggle, or need that is out of the realm of God’s understanding, control, and provision. Yet this truth is not always the first thing you will turn to. Your human nature starts to take over and if you are not careful, all of the challenges will take up more space in your heart and mind that Jesus ever intended. Paul was content in all circumstances. Paul trusted God, no matter what was going on around him. Do you need to move forward in these areas? Will you ask God to grow you, even if just a small bit, in your understanding of what it means to truly be content in Him?
God wants us to grow in our faith and become mature followers of Christ. Maturity happens as we press deeper into Christ Jesus and then live out His will in our lives. As we are faithful to Him, God matures us. God is writing a greater story in all of us. No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, don’t stop growing. Don’t become distracted by “earthly things,” but live your life fully for Christ. Keep moving forward! In the process, you will grow to be all He desires.
Have you ever wondered why you are able to conquer some battles and why others seem to destroy you? Is it because of the severity of the circumstances? Is it because of your resolve and willpower? Paul, repeatedly and passionately, reminded the Church that in the midst of challenges, they could still have joy, and they could still find purpose. Yet, with the wrong attitude, or any attitude for that matter, that is not the attitude of Christ. You will always fall short. When you have a Christ-like attitude, you are quick to serve, instead of complain. When you have a Christ-like attitude, you fight for unity and love because you know that is what really matters. With a Christ-like attitude, you are always willing to give all, and no matter the cost, remain faithful. Why are some battles conquered easily and why do others steal my joy? Start first by examining your attitude! If it is not the attitude of Christ, you should not be surprised by how negatively the challenges impact you.
Humility is central to living a life of Christ. If you desire to be a person who makes a difference for Christ, but try and do so without humility, you will always fall short. Jesus modeled for us what it means to truly love, and in humility He gave His life so we could abundantly live. He asks us to go and do likewise. Perhaps this has been a season where you have solely been thinking about yourself? Maybe in an attempt to be the best at everything personally, you have little left over for someone else. Allow the example of Jesus to be what you use this week to measure your own life. What changes do you need to make? In what areas is He asking you to grow?
Sometimes life doesn’t go as we planned. 2020 is like that for all of us. Yet, when the apostle Paul found himself in prison in Rome, he didn’t sit and feel sorry for himself. He moved forward in his faith and in advancing the Good News of Jesus. Because of Paul’s commitment, we have this incredible letter he wrote, Philippians, and Paul had some serious joy in his life. Where’s your focus today? If you focus on your problems, you get stuck in life. When you focus on Jesus, you are filled with joy and you move forward. Choose to move forward in Christ today.
Legacy is a word you may not think about often, but your legacy is something that is being developed moment by moment, day by day, as you live your life. If you have children or grandchildren, your actions and priorities speak to the legacy you will leave. The friends and neighbors you work with, or do life with, are going to be impacted positively or negatively, by how you live your life. This is legacy! You may think the best thing you can pass onto the next generation is money, power, or resources; however, these things will truly never satisfy and will never last. Every action, word, and deed that points others to a relationship with Jesus Christ is truly the most impactful way you can spend your life. What kind of legacy do you desire to leave?
Most of us want to live a life on purpose. Yet, many of us wish it were easier to do! To live on purpose, I have to be willing to set my own agenda aside and to follow His agenda. To live a life of purpose, I have to place the needs of others before my own and I have to be willing to see that God’s plan is always going to be far better than mine. No matter what may come my way, He can be trusted. God will use the brightest, and darkest, seasons of my life to ultimately show me His plan, just like He did with Paul and the early Church.
We are all in need of grace every moment of every day. Through the cross, Jesus made a way for us to be made whole and reminds us that it is only by His grace that we can have life. We can try our best to be good, we can add rules and regulations, but only through Christ can we experience life. Along those same lines, Jesus desires for us to help others experience His grace and one of the easiest ways to do that is to show His grace. You will probably find yourself in no less than 10 conversations within the next 24 hours where you can either show grace or show condemnation. You can either choose humility or arrogance. Will you choose to act like Jesus or act like the world? One choice will point people toward Jesus and one may very likely point them away from Him.
As a follower of Christ, we all have a calling from Christ. We are all missionaries! Disciples, making disciples, compelled by the grace of God that has transformed our own lives. We carry out this calling in our homes, neighborhoods, communities, and on to the ends of the earth. What we learn in Acts 14 from Paul and Barnabus is that being in the center of God’s will, we will all face conflict, challenges, even persecutions. I pray as you face conflict, challenges, even persecutions today that you would have courage to continue to remain obedient and faithful to Christ no matter what the cost. That God would use this time to draw you near to Himself and give you greater clarity and confidence in His Gospel. And, that you would be encouraged and reminded that you are not alone.
God made it so abundantly clear that our call is to go and point other people to Him! Whether we are getting to know our neighbor, engaging with people on social media, or going on a mission trip (can’t wait to be able to do that again soon), He has asked us to be obedient to share. Often we don’t share for a variety of reasons, but maybe today for the first time, you realize that it is not your job to change anyone, but your privilege to share! Praise God that He does the work of changing hearts–He invites us to share the good news!
As a follower of Christ, everything I do sends a message to those who are not followers of Christ! Do my actions, words, and deeds proclaim love and point people to Jesus? Or do my actions, words, and deeds point to myself? The world is watching 24/7! I pray that I make a conscious choice at the start of every day to realize there will be many opportunities to allow God to use my story, to use my trials, and to journey with others, if I will allow Him to set the pace and direct my agenda.
When we make a commitment to follow Jesus, He transforms us from the inside out and desires for us to invite Him into every facet of our being. Jesus desires our perspective to be more like His and He yearns for our relationships, our spending, our attitudes, our actions, and everything else, to be reflective of what is truly most important in our lives - Him!
The transformation of Saul reminds us that God is the only One who can change a heart! God not only shows us His grace and mercy, but gives us work to do in spite of our flaws, shortcomings, and sinful pasts. If you are currently in a season of darkness or held captive by things from your past, know that God has an amazing plan! It is also safe to say, God is calling you to be like Ananias...to go and see the potential that God has for others and to do the hard work of helping others fulfill their calling!
Jesus prayed for His disciples to be one. United in the cause of Christ as His church. There are so many things that divide our world today - race, gender, socio-economic status, but in God’s Church, we are called to be one. We are imperfect people. As we focus on Christ and love one another, then God is glorified and His Church grows. As we see needs and meet them, then lives are changed. Let’s work together to make a lasting impact for Jesus Christ in our families, church, and community. May we be one in His Church.
Times of unrest and hardship can cause us fear, but what we do with that fear makes all the difference. When we “fear” the Lord by revering His sovereignty, power, and holiness, our anxious fear of the unknown shrinks into its proper place. When our fear leads us to being a follower of Christ we enter the community of the church and find ourselves part of an eternal family that is dear to the heart of God. Today I thank God that we have a Savior, Jesus; We have a home, His Church.
In this time of uncertainty, we need God and the church more than ever. This is our time to be God’s Church and to be the “hands and feet of Jesus.” We join our hearts and lives together to lead others to the hope of Christ. As God’s church, we have the responsibility to put Him first and to speak boldly about our faith. People are looking for help and hope today. Our God is at work, and He is inviting us to be His Church in our world. Let’s live boldly in Him.
Not only at the end of the day, but at the end of all time, the very best thing we can give someone is Jesus. Regardless of our material wealth, or lack thereof, we have something far better to contribute to society. At any time, particularly this strange time, people are looking for hope, and faith in Jesus Christ is the best and only guarantor of that hope. Take an inventory this week of all you have “in Christ” and examine the ways you can give Jesus to those around you.
God invites you to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself! God set the Church in motion and sent the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and lead you to point other people to Him. The Church is God’s plan A for the world and you have the unique responsibility and privilege to be on the front lines of ministry. Which means being involved with the lives of other people. Who is God calling you to love today? Who is He bringing to your mind to reach out and connect with? God is the one equipping you–seek to draw your strength from Him today.
After Jesus conquered death on Easter, He stayed on the earth 40 days until He ascended into heaven. During this time, Jesus prepared His disciples to be the Early Church. The book of Acts is the story of the Church. The Church is how God accomplishes His work in the world. The Church is made up of ordinary Christ-followers united in the confession of faith, “Jesus is Lord” and is fueled by the Holy Spirit. The Church is alive today. And, we are the Church.
If God can raise a dead Jesus, then He can raise a dead you. God can raise a dead heart, a dead marriage, a dead dream. Jesus is alive! This changes everything. Jesus being alive means God loves you more than you can even imagine. You are worth God’s Son to Him. Jesus being alive means God does not want to spend eternity apart from you. You are loved and redeemed. Will you commit your life to Jesus today? Will you come alive in Jesus this Easter? Let’s make this the best Easter ever as we come alive through Jesus today!
John was faithful. John was with Jesus in the good times, like Palm Sunday, and in the tough times, like the cross. While the other disciples scattered, John stayed. When the Resurrection came, John “saw and believed.” Jesus changed John from fear and anger to confidence and love. May we be people who are faithful. Faithful to Jesus all of our life. Through the good times and the struggles, may we be faithful to God, to our family and to His Church. Are you faithful? Are you growing in your confidence and love because of Jesus? May we be faithful.
Peter was an ordinary man that God used in an extraordinary way. God sees the potential in each of us. God created us for a reason and He has a plan and purpose for our life. Peter followed Jesus, but then denied Him three times. Yet, after Jesus’ Resurrection, Peter found grace in the heart of Jesus. God used Peter in a powerful way to impact many for Christ, and God wants to use each of us for His glory. Are you willing to be used by God? Let’s commit to follow Him this week and for the rest of our lives. Through Jesus, our best days are still ahead!
Jesus is drawing us to Himself. In the midst of the challenges, God is at work. We all have doubts and questions. God can handle these. Doubt is not sin, but God allows doubt in order to lead us to truth. Thomas, one Jesus’ first disciples, had doubts. But, when Thomas met Jesus after His Resurrection, everything changed. Thomas no longer lived with fear but lived with faith in the God who raised Jesus from the dead. What do you believe about Jesus? If you truly believe Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then your confession of faith will change how you live. Let’s live with faith and boldness in the One who still changes lives today.
Judas is the most disappointing person in all of history. Judas was so close to Jesus, and yet he was so far. Given every opportunity to follow and believe, Judas chose to live in his own sin and selfish ambition. His life was a miserable failure. We have all sinned, yet God’s grace is greater. Easter shows us that our failures are not final. Will you receive God’s grace and live in His love today? Judas set his eyes on money and power, and he lost it all. But, God invites us to set our eyes on Jesus, and in the process, we grow in His love, joy, peace and inherit eternal life. This Easter Season, let’s focus on Jesus.
The life of Mary reminds us that no matter what God says, no matter what God asks us to do, and no matter how many questions we may have, He can be trusted. God may be dealing with you today to take a step of obedience and your fear is standing in the way of saying “yes” to God! God may be showing you an area where He is desiring to stretch you, but your questions are getting in the way. When you set your eyes on Jesus, He does not promise you a path you can always see but promises you He will be walking with you on the path!
We all sin. We all make mistakes. The question is not, “If we sin...”, but “How do we respond when we sin?” By God’s grace, there is forgiveness. Yet, we must confess our sins and turn from them. Sometimes we are just sorry we got caught as opposed to deeply desiring to restore our relationship with God. God hates sin because He knows the damage it causes to the people He loves. Therefore, let’s come clean before Jesus today. Confess your sins, and find the forgiveness and grace that only God can give. Allow God to forgive you, and then live in His love and grace each and every day.
In our lives, we will be tempted. We have an enemy who wants to destroy us, and therefore he brings temptations into our lives so that we will rebel against the God who loves us. Yet, temptation is not a sin. Temptation is an opportunity to choose what is right. Sin has enormous consequences in our relationship with God and with others. We must learn to guard our hearts and minds against sin. Jesus wants the best for us. Learn to fall in love with Jesus and learn to say no to the temptations that come our way. Stop sin now, come clean and hold tight to Jesus.
What kind of leader does God want you to be?
They’re everywhere. They’re at our jobs and at our schools. They’re politicians and personal trainers and chefs and accountants. They’re leaders. And, like it or not, you’re one too.
God has called you to be a leader for the people you interact with on a daily basis. But what does that look like?
Join us to learn how to be a godly leader.
When carpooling somewhere with a group of friends, this question is bound to arise—and it is a big decision! One person may get you to your destination more quickly, but consequently, you may also have a heart attack on the way due to their reckless driving. Or another might make you late, but you know you will get there safely.
We all need good friends. Friends are a gift from God and invaluable in our lives. Now, there are good friends and there are not-so-good friends. Therefore, we must surround ourselves with friends who lead us closer to God. That deep spiritual connection is the bond of a healthy God-honoring friendship. By God’s grace, we all have a friend in Jesus. Jesus laid down His life for His friends. May we find our worth and value in our relationship with our friend, Jesus.
As Christ-followers, we are called to honor those over us. Sometimes this is easy, and sometimes it is not. David gives honor to Saul as the King even when Saul doesn’t deserve it. We can’t control how other people act, but we can control how we respond. There are people in our lives we are called to honor — whether it’s a boss, parents, government officials. Find your identity in the Lord, and then honor those people out of your love for God. Set healthy boundaries when needed. Then, become a person of honor. Become a person your children, employees and those you teach or coach want to honor because you are living your life for God’s glory.
When we hear the story of David vs. Goliath, we immediately think about facing overwhelming odds. Yet, as we examine the story more closely, it really was David who had the advantage. When God is with you, there is nothing too great for Him to conquer. So often we live defeated lives, but we must realize that the Spirit of the Living God is in us and for us. Let’s live bold lives. Let’s be men and women who face the giants of our lives with the power of God. Our God is with us and for us! What step of faith is God calling you to take? Live victorious in Christ.
We spend so much of our life concerned with how we look on the outside. Think about how much time we spend getting ready in the morning or how concerned we are with what we look like and wear. Yet, God cares more about the inside than He does about the outside. God wants us to have a godly heart because He knows that who we are on the inside is way more important than the outside. Therefore, this week, will you search your heart? Will you commit your heart to the Lord? Learn to trust Him and to hear His voice in prayer. Will you spend time growing your character, so that you can become all God desires? God chose David, and He chose you! Now, let’s bring Him glory through how we mature on the inside.
How can you leverage your platform?
Did you know that you have a platform? It’s true! All of us do. You may not be a movie star or a world-class athlete but God has still given you a platform right where you are.
The influence you have in your family, in your neighborhood, and with your co-workers is just as significant as if you were on a stage in front of tens of thousands of people.
Join us to discover what your platform is and learn how you can leverage it for the Kingdom of God.
We will all face difficulties in this life. It is not a matter of if we will go through trials and struggles, but when. Even Jesus went through difficulties, so we should not think we will be immune. However, when seasons of struggles come, there are ways that we can leverage our difficulties for the glory of our God. These are times for us to rely on God, grow stronger in our faith, and minister to others. There are no perfect people, so when we share with someone out of a difficulty we have experienced, they can relate more to us. Our misery can become our ministry. Don’t waste your difficulties. Allow God to redeem and restore them as well as you.
Leverage is to use (something) to its maximum advantage. What about your resources? Think about everything God has entrusted to you - money, abilities, opportunities, His Spirit, and so much more. Are you leveraging what God has given you to build your own kingdom or to build His Kingdom? Sometimes we are afraid - afraid to give, afraid to serve, or afraid to get serious about investing in the things of God. Don’t live by fear, but by faith. Make it the aim of your life to hear God say one day, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Let’s leverage our resources for the glory of our great God!
Does your education matter?
Chances are you’ve gone to school at some point. Some of us eeked through high school on a wing and a prayer. And some of us have multiple doctorates and are considering a third.
While we might come from different educational backgrounds, one thing is true for everyone: no matter what you learned or where you learned it, God can use it.
Join us this week at Rolling Hills as we continue our series, LEVERAGE, and learn how you can use your education for God’s glory.
Leverage means to use something to its maximum advantage. What about your time? Time is the most precious gift we all have. We all have the same amount of time in a day and where we invest our time shows what we value. We often talk about how busy we are and how much we need more time, but it is really not about having more time as it is prioritizing our time to invest in the things that matter. As you grow in the Lord, you realize there are things that will last for eternity. Let’s resolve to invest the time God has given us for His glory. Let’s leverage our time.